Projects and Observations

In addition to raising plants, the Texas Triffid Ranch also offers tips, projects, and general observations on plantkeeping and associated bits of fun.  Most of the day-to-day news and discussion happen at the Texas Triffid Ranch LiveJournal, but particularly involved or detailed projects show up here as well.  This space will also include reports on field trips, botany and horticulture-related events, and photos from recently attended shows and conferences.

Projects:  The Proletaripot

Back in 2007, horticulturalist and indoor plant specialist Bob Hyland offered instructions for converting a standard 2-liter soda bottle into a sub-irrigation planter he called a Volksplanter.  While his design was very ingenious, I needed to do a few modifications to optimize its use for carnivorous plants.  I jokingly called it a "ProletariPot" as an inside gag dedicated to the British comedian Alexei Sayle, and the ProletariPot has proven itself to be an excellent replacement for standard plastic pots.  MORE

Observations:  "It's Always Saddest When It Happens To Someone You Know"

Were I the sort to judge based solely on the covers, Timber Press would have been the girl next door who stopped by after lunch.  Tall, pretty without being overly focused solely on looks, and able to run rings in conversation around a room full of Ph.Ds.  In other words, just like the woman I married.  Strangely, while she says that she doesn't have any problems with the other person in my life, she sometimes lingers over the horticulture section of my library, and I can't tell if she's glaring in silent jealousy or contemplating an attempt at stealing my mistress from me. Sometimes, I suspect it's both.  MORE

Observations:  "How To Take 'Carnivore' Out of 'Carnivorous Plant'"

Several friends of mine have cut out all but vegetative-based foods from their diets, either for ethical or medical concerns, and they also have concerns with feeding live or dead animals to any plants they might purchase in the future.  Others have worries about prey animals getting loose in the house.  Still others just don't want to have to feed their plants if the plants aren't able to catch prey on their own.  All of these are perfectly valid and reasonable objections, and absolutely none of them prevent dedicated vegans from keeping carnivorous plants.  It's just a matter of selection.  MORE