Carnivorous Plants

[hp10BII]

Anybody into Carnivorous plants? I spotted 3 different varieties of Venus Flytraps at our local garden centre, they were locally cultivated by a BC outfit in the Okanagan. Picked up 2 B52's and a Dente (all VFT's) for one of my kids. B52's are interesting, it's a new hybrid where the traps could grow up to 2.5" long...that's big for a VFT.

Beautiful specimans, available are VFT's, sundews, & a couple different varieties of pitcher plants. I had a couple of hard to get specimans going a few years back until the neighbourhood crows decide to make it into a self-serve salad bar.

I started my first carnivorous plant back in Grade 5, bought a VFT from Woolworths for $3. They come and go, some years specimans were tough to get, but it's only a few years away before the itch is back and I pick up some more specimans.

[Toirtis]

Done a few...found that keeping them in a Wardian case works well.

[hp10BII]

I had to go through wikepedia for a wardian case, nice classy looking containers!

I'm spying on old goldfish bowls these days, at least they're good for something.

[Soggybottom]

I grew a Sarracenia pitcher plant once. Unfortunately it dried out in the summer when I was away. I'd definitely be into trying again once I get a place with some space (any day now:)

I just googled wardian case and spent a couple of hours surfing the related links....dang theres some unreal plants out there!

[hp10BII]

Lucky guy...looks like you're not too far from a great supplier of plants. I bought my specimans from Rick's stock, propogates them "in vitro". Located in Lumby:

http://www.keehnscarnivores.com/index.htm

Maybe you can handpick your own!

[Melody]

My Son would go nuts on that site. He's been fascinated with them since he toured Burn's Bog.

[Soggybottom]

http://www.keehnscarnivores.com/index.htmNeat!
Unfortunately the "facility is closed to the public. There are no on-site retail sales."

[hp10BII]

Dang! Sorry I missed that. Garden centre had good looking Sarracenia in a couple of different colour variations...may have to add some more to the collection.

[bobbi]

Just to let you know that you can find our plants (KC's) at nursery centres on the lower mainland in the mid and northern Okanagan.

We keep them in big trays of water and are looking into keeping fish in the trays to keep the small insects, larvae and/or alge at bay without harming the plants. We have a couple of types of fish in mind but would be happy for any suggestions.

cheers
Bobbi

[hp10BII]

Just to let you know that you can find our plants (KC's) at nursery centres on the lower mainland in the mid and northern Okanagan.

We keep them in big trays of water and are looking into keeping fish in the trays to keep the small insects, larvae and/or alge at bay without harming the plants. We have a couple of types of fish in mind but would be happy for any suggestions.

cheers
Bobbi

:Welcome:

Hi Bobbi, it's great to have someone from KC on our fish forum.

I picked up my plants from our local Gardenworks. I can't help with with any suggestions on fish, perhaps you might want to post your question in the Pond section. Mosquito fish comes to mind, some of our livebearer experts may have other ideas as well. My only thought is for the plants that needs to go through dormancy through the winter months, would you need to lower water levels or let it dry out and if you do, I would think it would be pretty tedious to catch all those little fishies?

[bobbi]

Hi, thanks. We were thinking of mosquito fish or White Cloud Mountain minnows, maybe Beta's in the trays next summer. I will post my question in the other section thanks for pointing me there. We have to close the plant trays down in the winter anyways so would transfer the fish to an aquarium during the coldest months.

cheers,
Bobbi

[hp10BII]

Funny, I thought about white clouds and bettas too. Not sure how deep or large your trays are? Bettas would be easier to catch when it's time to drain the trays, but the boys are territorial unless you're able to find females which may be tough to find in quantity. Then you have to store the males in separate containers through the winter.

If the other fish breeds or if the population of fish gets heavy, watch the nitrate levels... I don't know how much nitrogen the plants can tolerate if there isn't enough waterchanges. Interesting experiment though, are the trays outdoors?

[Soggybottom]

This would be a neat experiment.
I have a few white clouds I could give you. If you let me in I'll even buy some plants! ::D:
I finished the horticulture program in Kamloops this spring, would suuure like to see your operation. I promise I won't tell the public!

[bobbi]

I think it will be an interesting experiment too!

Soggybottom: I'll work on my husband for ya about a visit! We don't have the paperwork and permits to run a retail store here which is why we haven't sold off the property. Home is work and work is home so it is also hard to control visitng. Not sure if the neighbour's would appreciate the traffic either. At some point down the road we are considering having visitors as a part of the eco-toursim in the area but don't think we look too impressive yet (we're working on it though!!!) Meanwhile Art Knapp, Rick's Gardenworld, and Bylands in Kelowna may have some of our stock left. Would love to touch base with you later about white clouds!

(hp10BII): The trays are the size of a sheet of plywook (4X8) and the water is about 2 inches deep. We use only reverse osmosis water and monitor the trays with a TDS meter. The plants are basically outdoors (in a greenhouse) spring to fall. We'd like to control the algae and 'little swimmers' without having to do freqent water changes during the growing season. And of course it would be great fun to have fish in the trays with the plants.

It's getting a bit late in the season to start fish but we may try a couple of them for the next month to see if it would be worth full blown experiment next Spring!

[hp10BII]

R/O water are great for your plants, I'm thinking fish would like to have some mineral content. My TDS meter reads practically zero here in the lower mainland but I do supplement with some calcium/magnesium or Kent's R/O Right. Maybe hardier specimans, I'd be tempted to go with soft water fish for your algae team, maybe a school of ottos or bristlenose plecos.

[hp10BII]

My Son would go nuts on that site. He's been fascinated with them since he toured Burn's Bog.

I'm thinking of picking up one as a BDay present for one of the youngsters. $10 to $12 @ Gardenworks! :;):

[Toirtis]

I had to go through wikepedia for a wardian case, nice classy looking containers!

They can be, but most of mine are just 20 gallon tanks with full glass lids.