Flowers in the house are always a holiday and a good thingmood. And what about predatory carnivorous plants? They have recently become more widespread due to their uniqueness, mobility and overall attractive appearance. In our article - the most popular. And, of course, the rules of care There are about five hundred plants known to science in the world that prefer, in addition to photosynthesis, to feed on small insects. By placing such a miracle at home, you can not only admire its beauty, but also watch the hunting process. The sight is not for the faint of heart, but very intriguing!
1.Venus flytrap One of the most popular plants when talking about predators is Venus flytrap, or more commonly known as Venus flytrap. This exotic plant is found on another continent and attracts attention with its special hunting mechanism, which is truly amusing to watch: Venus flytrap usually waits for its victim for a long time before instantly slamming the trap shut. The presence of such a flower will add color and liveliness to the interior, and in the summer it will relieve you of the problem of disposing of flies. Important note: do not feed Venus flytrap meat or sharpen pencils in it.
2.Nepenthes Another representative of the flora that prefers to eat flies, mosquitoes and other small insects. It attracts them with aromatic liquid in jugs, which contains a special enzyme that promotes digestion. When caring for the plant, you need to follow certain rules, but this will more than pay off due to the large number of colors, which will certainly give a lot of options and decor ideas for any room.
3.Sarracenia A plant with large leaves that look like pitchers is Sarracenia. Inside the brightly colored leaves are traps for insects, which, unsuspectingly, fall there and disappear forever. The predator prefers a lot of sunlight and abundant watering, but at the same time it can grow in poor soil, since the caught prey can provide food.
4.Sundew This predator can be found even in our area. White flowers, and the leaves are covered with hairs, on which you can find small drops of liquid. They contain an enzyme that allows you to catch and immediately digest insects, thereby providing the necessary influx of vital forces. At the same time, the plant is in no hurry: when food has stuck to the leaves, they begin to slowly curl up, gradually filling with liquid. The whole process can take several days, after which the leaves unfold again, ready for new victims.
5.Heliamphora Growing mainly in marshy areas, heliamphora has bright pitchers. They accumulate nectar, which attracts ants, mosquitoes, beetles and other small creatures. Then they fall into a trap, rolling inside, and are digested. But the fact that this predator lives in South America does not prevent you from keeping it at home: it needs plenty of sunlight, watering three times a week and a constant change in daily temperatures. Fog generators, fluorescent lamps and visual control of color will help with the latter.
Basic rules of care:
- Watering should be correct. No lime, it is best to use rain or distilled water, which is poured into the pan. The flytrap can not be watered from above, it should be sprayed.
- Plants can be kept on the windowsill.
- For small plants use glassA container or a special aquarium that serves as a greenhouse. It is impossible to grow predatory plants in clay pots, since clay has the property of accumulating harmful salts in itself.
- It is necessary to maintain a high level of humidity - approximately 70%.
- Do not put carnivorous plants near the battery or other heaters.
- Predators like it when it is light, but it is still better to avoid direct sunlight. Artificial home lighting is a way out of the situation.
- If the shoots become too long, this means a lack of light.
- Insectivorous plants do not need fertilizers.
- They prefer a wet acidic environment. In the soil with such parameters can be peat, a mixture of moss and river sand.
- In winter, plants have a period of hibernation, so their betterContain in a light, but cool room with a temperature of +5 to +10 degrees. In the spring new traps begin to form, and to the sun of the predator should be accustomed gradually.
- They can reproduce as roots, and leaf cuttings, and seeds. But this is a complex process.
- The ideal food for them is what plants consume in their natural habitat. Therefore, only live insects, and not often.
- And yes, do not touch the traps with your fingers!
Most of the photos were taken by Oksana Kashenko in the Apothecary Garden.
