I spent about four days up in and around our capital city, Ottawa, on
both business and pleasure. The last day was reserved for a pilgrimage
to D. linearis country along the shores of Lake Huron near the famed
Bruce Penninsula. Braving the swarms of horseflies (whose bite is not
noticed until a few minutes AFTER it has dined) while travelling up the
eastern shoreline of Dorcas Bay Nature Reserve, I arrived at one remote
station just a hundred feet or so from the lake water. The area - about
30 sq. feet - is supported by run-off from lime- stone-based forest of
the interior. Here D. linearis was growing in abundance (about 500
plants) along side with P. vulgaris and a few S. purpurea ssp. purpurea
f. ripicola in full sun. Plants were about 1-2 inches high and
blood-red and most had already commenced hibernaculum formation
(Date=AUgust 12). An interesting observation is that the linear leaf
sundew only seems to grow in locations that receive at least 5 hours/day
of direct, unobstructed sunlight and the previously-reported
observations of its intolerance to plant competitions certainly seems to
hold. Also, very, very few plants seem to grow in moist but
well-drained areas, preferring wet substrate with a H2O table about an
inch or so below the soil surface. Two other stations were visited, one
of which was fenced off private land purchased in 1962 by the Federation
of Ontario Naturalists (FON). Growing conditions were very much the
same as for the first station, except that the plants were growing in
pure sand. Here I also found U. intermedia in full flower, their huge
canary yellow corrolas resembling the U. juncea ones illustrated in Don
Schnell's book. Further detective work around a dried up lagoon area of
the reserve turned up thousands of the ripicola form of S. purpurea in a
1 acre flat location. In a bushy area by a small stream next to the
purps revealed a good sized colony of P. vulgaris growing in almost full
shade (in contrast to the full sun location at the first D. linearis
station). I was hoping to see (well, not really) Eastern Canada's only
poisonous reptile, the infamous Massasauga rattler. The Dorcas Bay area
is one of about 2 or 3 small areas in Eastern Canada where the rattler
can be found. At another D. linearis location at Petrol Point (about 50
km south from the Dorcas Bay Reserve, see CPN article on D. linearis by
Don Schnell, ca early to mid 1980's), the sundews are on average 1 inch
larger than their Dorcas Bay counterparts. It is not know whether this
is genetically or environmentally determined but by next summer I should
have an idea from growth observations of my 1 yr. old seedlings. The
Petrol Point area is fortunately a reserve, also bought out by FON, to
protect the last reminants of prime habitats of unique Lake Huron fauna
and flora from development (primarily
cottages). I'm happy to report that over the past 4 yearly visits to
these areas the D. linearis populations are strong in both quality and
quantity, with possible exception to the Petrol Point reserve where
numbers have dwindled somewhat. This summer, D. linearis was officially
recognized by the Canadian government as an Endangered Species. Well,
its about time!
I heard from Gordon about a week ago via post. He sent me some of the
Nepenthes seed that everyone has been mumbling about. I sowed them on
pure milled Sphagnum the day I received them and popped them in a Ziploc
bag under lights. So far nothing but at least no signs of fungus. I
dislike peat mixes for Nepenthes seed since they tend to entice fungal
growth in my experience. Gordon also sent me many months ago some of
those N. ventricosa hybrid seed but after about 8 months at least, I
have yet to see a peep from them. Gordon said to hang on to them since
a few grower have reported germination: for some reason, these
particular seed insists on taking their cool time.
Barry, regarding trading with Fred Howell, I can surely back up Paul's
claim that he's a very fair trader. In fact, he's sent me more plants
than I deserve (and feeling a wee guilty I might add)! Have noted D.
pygmaea contamination in D. manniana and D. spilos gemmae received from
him and some tubers are not well labelled. It does add a certain thrill
of adventure and the unexpected in growin such plants as you never
really know what might turm up. For example, I received a D.
stolonifera tuber from him and it turned out to be ssp. porrecta!
I have about 10 plants of D. petiolaris "Kunnunurra" accelerating
quickly to the 1 cm diameter mark. Had also germinated D. falconeri -
according to Allen's suggested 32-35 C 2-3 week treatment of the sown
seed (on peat)- but lost all seedlings presumably to damping off. Next
attempt, I'll keep the falconeri pot drier. Allen has also germinated
D. banksii, D. lanata and other petiolaris types using this method.
Establishing mature plants through purchase from Allen has not been
successful for me: plants invariably arrive in the mail either dead or
so weakened that they never recuperate. I think seed's the way to go
and the seedlings are growing very quickly. Regarding other seed from
Allen, D. regia, D. ramentacea, D. glabripes, D. sp. "Floating", D.
venusta, D. admirabilis, D. spathulata forms have germinated but nothing
as yet from D. acaulis, D. arturi types, D. stenopetala, D. gigantea, D.
bulbosa "Eastern Wheatbelt", P. sharpii, P. vallisneriifolia, P.
bohemica, D. pauciflora and a few others. Although I get a good
germination rate for D. regia, most of the seedlings just die after
attaining 4 or 5 leaves and before the first true root is formed. And
my growing conditions are fairly cool (ca. 15-25 C) with well- drained
peat/sand.
Well, one of the muses' is tapping me on the shoulder and pointing one
of his fingers over at the lab door. I think that I'll reluctantly call
it quits for now. Although I would not be able to contribute as often
as I like, I would still like to hear the latest on the email waves, so
keep them coming! If something new and interesting surfaces though,
I'll be sure to network it. Good growing......
Rob (M.)