Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: neilep on 18/11/2009 20:57:03
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Dearest Venus Flytrapologists,
As a sheepie I of course am an avid hoticulturalist. Yep, there's nothing more I like than getting up in the mornings and tending to my harvest.
Amongst my harvest is Victoria the Venus Fly-trap !...she's a babe !!
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Victoria Venus Fly-Trap Being A Babe !
Oh my !!...quite the looker eh ?
As ewe can see above, Victoria is about to enjoy some Meal Worm joyness !!..she's a hungry plant and wants it all !
..but, can Victoria survive without meaty joy ?...If so, how so ?....and what about poisonous things that she catches ?..will they harm her ?
whajafink ?
Hugs & shmishes
mwah mwah mwah !!
neil
Venus Fly Trap Asker
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Aah, this is my territory [:)]
Yes, a VFT can survive without eating, but it will not be at it's full growth potential.
Usually, when a VFT hasn't eaten for a while, you'll notice an increase in number and size of leaves after a juicy meal.
And for the poisonous things that she catches: it depends what the prey is exactly. For example, a VFT will not be harmed by catching a spider or a wasp since the venom of these insects is designed to attack animal tissue, not plant tissue.
Some fungi or viruses can cause deformities of your plant, and then your plant is called "variegated". These are in high demand by VFT collectors though, so it's not a bad thing per se.
The only true (common) enemy of a VFT are aphids, which are too small to trigger the traps but do suck the sap from the plant.
I have also personally seen a caterpillar being trapped by one of my VFTs which ate it's way out afterwards, but that's rather rare, cause normally a caterpillar that's being squeezed and suffocated, doesn't have food or eating as first thing on it's mind.
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I have also personally seen a caterpillar being trapped by one of my VFTs which ate it's way out afterwards, but that's rather rare, cause normally a caterpillar that's being squeezed and suffocated, doesn't have food or eating as first thing on it's mind.
Now THAT'S the evolutionary arms race right there! It's almost worthy of a play script!
VFT: I'mma beat you down!
Caterpillar: Yea? Try it viaaaatchh!
VFT: Yeah? Yeah? Ya think you're tough enough, son? I'm gon have you for breakfast!
* snap *
Caterpillar appears crushed on stage
*nom nom nom nom*
VFT: Oh sh..!
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work for what?
For feeding the VFT I wouldn't know in fact. I only know that high fat contents is bad for the plant and the fed leaf will die of it, but I haven't tried any meat analogs, since I don't have such things laying around in the house. I eat real cow [;)]
But one problem i already see is that meat analogs don't struggle after the initial snap close of the VFT leaf. This struggle is necessary to tighten grip and start digestion. So if you feel like trying it out, you'll have to keep rubbing the leafs on the outside until they close completely and have made a tight seal in order to start digestion. This is about 20 minutes to half an hour.
And wear gloves when rubbing the leafs because the plant can't stand too much skin oil.
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Aah, this is my territory [:)]
Yes, a VFT can survive without eating, but it will not be at it's full growth potential.
Usually, when a VFT hasn't eaten for a while, you'll notice an increase in number and size of leaves after a juicy meal.
And for the poisonous things that she catches: it depends what the prey is exactly. For example, a VFT will not be harmed by catching a spider or a wasp since the venom of these insects is designed to attack animal tissue, not plant tissue.
Some fungi or viruses can cause deformities of your plant, and then your plant is called "variegated". These are in high demand by VFT collectors though, so it's not a bad thing per se.
The only true (common) enemy of a VFT are aphids, which are too small to trigger the traps but do suck the sap from the plant.
I have also personally seen a caterpillar being trapped by one of my VFTs which ate it's way out afterwards, but that's rather rare, cause normally a caterpillar that's being squeezed and suffocated, doesn't have food or eating as first thing on it's mind.
Thank ewe very much indeed Nizzle. It's really comforting that VFT will be ok if it's consumed a wasp or a bee....what about a snake ? [;D]
Ewe have answered it all !!...YAYYYYYYYYYYYY !!.....
........those pesky good for nothing lazy layabout aphids !!...grrrrrr !!!
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I have also personally seen a caterpillar being trapped by one of my VFTs which ate it's way out afterwards, but that's rather rare, cause normally a caterpillar that's being squeezed and suffocated, doesn't have food or eating as first thing on it's mind.
Now THAT'S the evolutionary arms race right there! It's almost worthy of a play script!
VFT: I'mma beat you down!
Caterpillar: Yea? Try it viaaaatchh!
VFT: Yeah? Yeah? Ya think you're tough enough, son? I'm gon have you for breakfast!
* snap *
Caterpillar appears crushed on stage
*nom nom nom nom*
VFT: Oh sh..!
Now that's kwality film and theatre scriptage right there...I'll watch it !!