About
My first experience (that I can remember) with Carnivorous Plants happened when I was five or six years old. My parents took me to an interesting ethnic foods store called Jungle Jim's. Now, at the time I absolutely loved nature so naturally I was drawn to the Plant section. I observed the cacti and succulents and found them cool, but not as cool as some of the plants i had read about in an eyewitness book (pitcher plants and Venus flytraps). As I scanned the shelves, something caught my eye. A bunch of potted Venus flytraps, just what I was looking for! Euphoric, I practically forced my parents to buy them. They agreed.
On the car ride home, I carefully held the tiny pots in my lap, protecting them from falling over and spilling. When we got home we placed the Venus flytraps on a kitchen counter, near the sink. Unfortunately, I watered them with tap instead of distilled, and my little carnivorous friends deteriorated in health until they died completely, probably two weeks later.
Fast-forward five years, when I was 11 years old. I had almost completely forgotten about CP's. Of course, I still knew about them (who hasn't heard of a Venus Flytrap?), but they didn't mean much to me at all. In other words, I had lost interest.
But then, out of the blue, my friend (actually, his mom) invited me (and none of my six younger siblings) to go with them to the Newport aquarium, in Newport, KY! We both lived near Indianapolis, IN, so it wasn't too far.
We all had a blast and afterwards we went to a bookstore. To my surprise, near the registers was a bunch of Venus Flytrap seed grow kits. Remembering my childhood fascination, I bought one to take home.
But just like before, the seedlings died, this time of thirst.
Unfazed, I bought some adult plants online so I wouldn't have to wait. But I didn't tell my parents! Obviously they found out about the plants when they arrived and I was grounded. Most of the plants died anyway.
But despite this very rough start, I'd say it was worth it.
Why?
Because seeing the adult plants in person made me excited about CP's again. See, I knew the Latin names, where the plants lived, how many species were in each genera, and even the habitual growth patterns. But they were still just pictures in a book or words in National Geographic. But when I saw them in person, it was a game-changer. As Dan Riskin puts it:
But then, out of the blue, my friend (actually, his mom) invited me (and none of my six younger siblings) to go with them to the Newport aquarium, in Newport, KY! We both lived near Indianapolis, IN, so it wasn't too far.
We all had a blast and afterwards we went to a bookstore. To my surprise, near the registers was a bunch of Venus Flytrap seed grow kits. Remembering my childhood fascination, I bought one to take home.
But just like before, the seedlings died, this time of thirst.
Unfazed, I bought some adult plants online so I wouldn't have to wait. But I didn't tell my parents! Obviously they found out about the plants when they arrived and I was grounded. Most of the plants died anyway.
But despite this very rough start, I'd say it was worth it.
Why?
Because seeing the adult plants in person made me excited about CP's again. See, I knew the Latin names, where the plants lived, how many species were in each genera, and even the habitual growth patterns. But they were still just pictures in a book or words in National Geographic. But when I saw them in person, it was a game-changer. As Dan Riskin puts it:
"...But what made them even more beautiful to me was the context -- all those scientific facts I'd acquired made them familiar, like celebrities."
-Dan Riskin, PhD
Although he wasn't talking about plants (actually vampire bats), I can definitely relate.
Back to the story!
Okay, fast forward another two years, to 2019. That is the year I 'm writing this. I am 13 years old and I have representative species of:
Back to the story!
Okay, fast forward another two years, to 2019. That is the year I 'm writing this. I am 13 years old and I have representative species of:
- Cephalotus
- Darlingtonia
- Dionaea
- Drosera
- Heliamphora
- Nepenthes
- Pinguicula
- Sarracenia
- Stylidium
- Utricularia.
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My Artwork
Another thing I enjoy doing is...
Painting and Drawing!
Below is my oil portrait of my first Ball Python, Apollo (2015-2019).
Painting and Drawing!
Below is my oil portrait of my first Ball Python, Apollo (2015-2019).
It was only two years ago that I decided to merge carnivorous plants with my passion for art. The two went together beautifully. Enjoy!