Daily Botanical

April 9, 2009

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Venus Fly Trap

The other day, I bought a Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula) for the greenhouse. There is an issue with whitefly and I figured perhaps a carnivorous plant will act as a botanical guard dog and keep them away from our part of the greenhouse.

Well, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it. By that logic I should have bought one for every shelf. At least I’ll have an excuse if I happen upon any sundews for sale. Unfortunately, that almost never happens. I love sundews most of all.

I had to take the fly trap home with me tonight because there wasn’t any distilled water at the greenhouse, but I found a bottle on the way home and will be returning the plant next week. Until then she is sitting on my desk and needs a name.

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April 8, 2009

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Basil Seedlings at the Greenhouse

We are experiencing germination at the greenhouse. No matter how many times I do this it is somehow always such a surprise that these first stirrings of life will eventually turn into big plants. Big plants that I will eventually eat.

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April 6, 2009

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Flowering Cactus

This is the flowering cactus I mentioned in another post last week. It is yet to be identified. I would have done so already, but my gigantic cactus tome is currently unavailable. I’ve got it stacked in a pile of all of my biggest gardening books beneath the seed-starter, acting as a booster seat so that the seedlings can get as close to the light source as possible.

The next time you pass on a gigantic gardening coffee table book due to the expense, consider that it will serve you in more ways than one. I also use my enormous books to press plant materials and keep recently-glued paper flat. And if the unfortunate occasion were to arise, they could also make an unwieldy, but effective self-defense weapon. Come to think of it, arm weights are another possible option.

Everything they say is true. Gardening really is good for health and well-being!

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March 27, 2009

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Purple Heart Wandering Jew (Tradescantia pallida)

This stuff is used as a ground cover everywhere in Austin, Texas. I’m sure southerners are completely sick of it, but it was a treat for this northern gardener who is only used to seeing it growing indoors in a pot. Mind you, I’d never waste precious window space on it myself, but can absolutely appreciate the look when it is left outdoors to wander and spread.

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March 26, 2009

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