Residents of South Poinsettia Park and Bayview Heights decided to double their fun by attending an Armchair horticultural Adventure at Twin Lake Parks.  Learning and creating go hand in hand.  Our guest speaker and instructor, Kenny Coogan, talked about his book 'Florida's Carnivorous Plants' sharing his knowledge and tips for growing these fascinating plants and offering us helpful hints during our “create a personal bog” experience.

 

Did you know that more species of carnivorous plants grow in the wetlands of Florida than anywhere else in the country?   Our own Shamrock Park has hearty viewing if you are a true detective. And who knows how many new bogs may be found in the Southside Village area since this class!

These insect eating plants have mastered a unique strategy for finding nutrients in poor soil: catching insects.  Having a bog of these amazing plants may reduce your no-see-m  and spider population.  Sorry, they do not eat female mosquitos!  

Florida has dozens of species of carnivorous plants- sundews, butterworts, bladderworts and pitcher plants- all use appealing scents which lure insects to stick to their sappy fluids imprisoning their meal! Digestive fluids then absorb the insect and nutrients. Having a bog is a wonderful hands-on learning tool for your children and grandchildren.  

Master Gardener’s encourage you to grow these endangered, unique and native plants at home by purchasing carnivorous plants from a respectable retailer.  Attend a workshop on planting and care; putting your plant/container garden/terrarium in “the right place” affords success in growing these conversation provoking specimens!  These wetland plants need a moist environment. Keeping their feet wet with rainwater or distilled water is best. Pitcher plants need shade and indirect light. Other varieties like to be out in the sun.  Growing your specimens outdoors in containers with a moist medium, or in rain gardens are successful with some gentle TLC.

Remember, a bog garden is an easy and Florida-friendly way to take advantage of a wet, sunny area in your landscape, such as a ditch, water runoff, or muddy area.  Summer is the perfect time to try your hand at raising your own “Audrey-2”-give it a try!