Herself's Houseplants

Predatory underwater plant

January 18, 2009–An oddity among oddities, this newly discovered carnivorous sea squirt traps fish and other prey in its funnel-like front section, scientists announced today. Most of the 2,000 or so known sea squirt species are filter feeders that strain plankton from seawater.

Tethered to the seafloor 13,143 feet (4,006 meters) underwater, the 20-inch (50-centimeter) sea squirt, or ascidian, is one of the deepest-dwelling animals ever found in Australia. The new species is one of many new deep-sea creatures discovered on a recent expedition that used a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) near southern Tasmania, Australia. . . . [ read more and see more photos Bizarre Species Found, Predatory Squirt

See also:
Research Cruise blog
Scientists think ‘killer petunias’ should join ranks of carnivorous plants

You can place a drinking glass or glass jar in another container, clear or not and fill the space between them with cranberries, pretty stones or just about anything small to create a seasonal flower vase.

For the holidays, fill the space with cranberries and put water and red roses in the glass as an example.

I recently attended a talk on flower arranging and here are some things I learned that you might not know:

If you are using green florists foam in an arrangement you should soak it for 24 hours before using it.

Cut sunflowers should be given hot water ( about a hot shower temperature ) and lots of it, they are thirsty flowers.

Cut roses under warm water, and on a diagonal.

Cut tuberose needs sugar water for the flowers to open, use 2 to 3 cups of sugar water in vase.

Christmas trees should also be given hot water ( hot shower temperature ) it loosens up the sap and they will take up more water after the initial cut if it is hot. Your tree should soak up 5 to 8 gallons of water the first day and less thereafter.

Use the flower preservatives that come with your cut flowers as directed. And use an anti-desiccant on your cut flowers for longer life. Both can be obtained online or at your favorite florist.

Candles should be burned a bit before placing out. Never ever place unburned candles ( those with wicks still white ) in a display. Some consider it bad manners, candles should show you are ready for hospitality.

. . . One of nature’s most recognized wonders, the venus flytrap’s ability to snatch living prey makes it a favorite of elementary school science classes everywhere. Yet the flytrap is falsely ferocious: It’s hardly the man-eating Audrey Jr. from “The Little Shop of Horrors,” but a tiny plant only a few inches tall with leaves no bigger than a thumbprint.

These days, the little plant is more vulnerable than ever. And despite its popularity, the people who could protect it seem focused on other problems.

The flytrap’s natural habitat exists only within a hundred miles of the Carolinas’ coast, where much larger and more territorial plants have always held forth. Booming growth and development along the coast threatens to overrun the few sensitive and thin populations of venus flytraps that still exist in the wild. . . [ read more Venus flytraps caught in shrinking habitat]

What can you do? Fight to save native habitats. Buy some fly traps from responsible sellers and show people just was a cool wonderful plant it is. Tell them why it is worth saving. Spread the word.

See also:
Save the Venus Flytrap
Audubon Magazine: Carnivorous Plants
United Plant Savers: Venus Flytrap

Big Thicket Nat’l Preserve has a large section of carnivorous plants growing. There are several trails you can take along wooden walkways through the swamps to view them. March and April are best if you want to see them flowering.