Aquaponics with... Carnivorous Plants?

[urbanfarmer]

In addition to the fish poop feeding the plants, the fish now feed the plants!

Ideas? :mrgreen:

[urbanfarmer]

Resident bats use pitcher plant as toilet (http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-01-resident-pitcher-toilet.html)


Instead of insects in the large pitchers, the researchers, led by tropical ecologist Dr. Ulmar Grafe, sometimes found roosting bats.

[urbanfarmer]

I guess no one thinks this is a remotely good idea :lol: :lol: :lol:

[rfeiller]

Actually, since some are bog plants and they bring a good price, they might even help with the bugs. All of the symbiotic relationships that exist in nature, we haven't a clue.

[urbanfarmer]

HA, I didn't even think of that. You wouldn't have to worry about the pest bugs nearly as much if at all!!! :lol:

I just know that these plants are very pricey at the store, but maybe that's not a good idea to try to sell them... not enough demand?

[rfeiller]

if they are paying there way and i can sell some from time to time it works for me. i think all of my lady bugs are back in sacremento (the main collection area near here). i would consider a venus fly trap, pitcher plant, etc. impulse purchases.

[drdreww]

When I told my family about AP and building a growhouse his first reaction was can we get fly traps for in there! Once its all under way I would love to try it out

[urbanfarmer]

:mrgreen: This is great guys! I think we're going to be pioneers in this regard. I have not heard of anyone doing this! Let's see how it goes!

[davidstcldfl]

@ urbanfarmer....Don't we have wild carnivorous plants growing in FL ?.....pitcher plants maybe...?

[urbanfarmer]

@ urbanfarmer....Don't we have wild carnivorous plants growing in FL ?.....pitcher plants maybe...?
Excellent question! I will look into it, but I didn't know that if we do!!! :oops:

[davidstcldfl]

Wow,according to the info in this article, we have about 30 differant ones....
http://wildgarden.com/wildflowers/cp.htm
They have some nice pictures too.

Seems most of them are in N FL.
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlan ... sarrac.htm (http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/delineation/featuredplants/sarrac.htm)

[urbanfarmer]

Wow, I had no idea. That's very neat! I have to get my hands on some... :D

Map shows some in our area. The question is WHERE!?!??

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarracenia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sarracenia_range.png

[davidstcldfl]

I have to get my hands on some
(FDEP)Note: all wild pitcher plants are protected by State and Federal laws; wanton harvesting of the leaves would be detrimental to the plants ability to trap insects and thrive.


if they are paying there way and i can sell some from time to time it works for me.
(FDEP)The pitcher plants and their hybrids are also becoming popular horticultural plants. In England there are gardens dedicated solely to national collections of North American pitcher plants! And in Japan, a park has been designed that features only insectivorous plants, in which our North American pitcher plants are a major attraction. Clearly people are fascinated by pitcher plants.

[urbanfarmer]

I have also wondered if the fluid inside the pitcher has any application. Would it work as a natural insect repellent on the plants?

[WAbedroomponics]

i believe the fluid attracts the bugs so they go in it and drown

[rfeiller]

Against a local grower's advice I purchased a pitcher plant over a month ago. It is not doing well.
The commercial grower said they would not work in aquaponics because of the nitrates. The only nutrients they utilize is from the insects they trap. They require rain or distilled water. I think he knew what he was talking about. :P :D

[WAbedroomponics]

Try and feed it bugs and see if it perks back up lol

[rfeiller]

The greenhouse is full of bugs! The pitchers are getting large brown spots