lawdy
Full Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by lawdy on Mar 25, 2012 20:19:59 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by gardenofeden on Apr 9, 2012 19:44:22 GMT
no, it is not a flotation device, it is a very specialised trapping mechanism
|
|
|
|
Post by wireman on Apr 12, 2012 3:08:22 GMT
S. psittacina seems to have developed the specialized traps to make the most of habitats like this. From personal observation, the plant grows very slowly when the leaves are never submerged, but the growth rate explodes when the bottom leaves are partially or fully submerged, as insects are more easily trapped when they swim into it.
I have a plant of S. psittacina that is 10 years old and was about 2-3" wide. When I grew it partially submerged it doubled in size over a few weeks.
|
|
|
|
Post by coldcoffee on Apr 12, 2012 3:59:40 GMT
S. psittacina seems to have developed the specialized traps to make the most of habitats like this. From personal observation, the plant grows very slowly when the leaves are never submerged, but the growth rate explodes when the bottom leaves are partially or fully submerged, as insects are more easily trapped when they swim into it. I have a plant of S. psittacina that is 10 years old and was about 2-3" wide. When I grew it partially submerged it doubled in size over a few weeks. This is very good to know. I have considered growing mine partially submerged. I understand in nature they grow in areas the flood a lot. When flooded, their traps have the ability to catch water based organisms. |
|
|
|
Post by wireman on Apr 15, 2012 20:29:04 GMT
Don't submerge them for too long, maybe 3 days at most. If they stay submerged longer the water needs to have some circulation to it, otherwise you'll be playing with death.
|
|
|
|
Post by snakedr on May 16, 2012 17:14:23 GMT
Lawdy - I have wondered the same thing myself - probably more dreaming than thinking though! After seeing S. psittacina in nearly all of their native habitats I very much agree with the subsequent posts of size increase with floating plants. I do, however, fully support Stewart McPherson's conjecture that there are two distinct variants of S psittacina: var psittacina and var. okeefenokeensis. The plants in my photos that you mentioned (thanks for your compliments btw) are without a doubt var. okeefenokeensis. The smaller variety S psitt var psitt even under the most optimal conditions rarely even approaches this size. This is one of the plants that you referenced about a year later than the photo you posted: www.flickr.com/photos/frogdr/6278889114/in/set-72157622805496001/This individual plant is approximately 20 to 25cm in diameter. Interestingly, IME, this variant seems to be more prominent in flooded or inundated environments and obtains the largest size in fully aquatic settings. I have, however, observed dead plants in habitat possibly due to prolonged flooding (exactly as described by wireman) when the plant is fully submerged and there is no water circulation. All of the plants in my photographs are in riparian environments with moving water (even when within the confines of beaver dams, etc). Stagnant water with this species, especially if submerged, will kill it quickly. |
|
|
|
Post by SgtSarracenia on Jun 2, 2012 8:46:36 GMT
|
|
