I don't have a macro lens. I don't even have a proper camera. Still, I
do have a 30x loupe that I sometimes use to look at my plants, and it can be used for some very makeshift closeup shots.
My
Drosera aliciae caught a gnat.
![It was not easy to get a shot in focus. I got dew from my D. adelae smear all over my phone, hahahah. Drosera aliciae with gnat closeup](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5584/14841069569_5bb813160b_c.jpg) |
The hapless gnat. |
The main
D. aliciae plant is still doing quite well, and enjoyed being fed (more than a single gnat) recently along with several other of my plants.
Drosera natalensis plods along.
![Apparently springtails are just the thing for feeding sundew seedlings. Unfortunately (fortunately?) I don't really have many bugs straight up living in my house. Drosera natalensis seedling closeup](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3922/15024736121_a323fe1516_c.jpg) |
Someday these will be big strong sundews. Someday. |
As I mentioned back on Saturday, I've sort of neglected these seedlings for a while, but I'm hoping they'll spring to life soon enough. With food, anything is possible.
The
Sphagnum I have growing in my
Drosera prolifera pot is doing rather well over all.
![I love pots of plants, especially Sarracenia, where there's just a big green mat of Sphagnum growing on top. It's very elegant looking, like a nice lawn. Living Sphagnum closeup](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3869/15027440152_8eb0f47cdd_c.jpg) |
This patch is particularly plump and green and healthy. |
I've made my first tentative steps towards deliberately cultivating
Sphagnum. I'd like to have lots of it just going so I can use it as media for some of the more delicate plants, but to get enough I'd have to start at least one tray specifically for
Sphagnum culture. Incidentally, I love how this picture really shows off the tubular structure of the moss, which accounts for its superior water-holding abilities.
My
Utricularia praelonga is growing rather well, though the moss in the pot is a bit unruly.
![Yeah I dunno what that fiber in the photo is either. Probably a hair or something? Who knows. Utricularia praelonga closeup](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5564/14852389240_69af2f283e_c.jpg) |
Not the fastest-growing Utric, but very steady. |
Also, while looking my plants over for good things to photograph up close, I noticed that there was a hitchhiker in the
U. praelonga pot.
![I'm not at the point yet where I resent unwanted hitchhikers. It's still exciting to see them pop up. Mystery sundew in the U. praelonga pot.](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3895/14852389960_b9c2acb07c_c.jpg) |
A mystery! What could this sundew be? |
As far as I know there haven't been any sundews blooming near this pot since I've had it. I don't know where the seedling came from, but it could be anything at this point. I guess I'll just let it grow out and see what it turns out to be.
Finally, my
Drosera tokaiensis has a second, tinier flower stalk.
![I remember at one point I thought this plant was dying because its crown was brownish. Then I learned that sometimes D. tokaiensis just is that color. It was a relief. Drosera tokaiensis closeup with flower stalk](https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3918/14841193628_293dacfbe6_c.jpg) |
Blooming away without a care in the world. |
While I initially didn't pay this plant much mind, I have come to enjoy its presence in my collection, especially since it blooms so consistently and is so healthy. A plus in every collection!
No comments:
Post a Comment