- This is how the funnel of a pitcher plant works
- Enzymes take care of digestion
- Caring for pitcher plants indoors
- Pitcher plants are mostly hardy
Carnivorous plants try to catch their prey in a variety of ways. They form pitchers, snap traps or, like pitcher plants, funnels that attract insects. Once caught in it, mosquitoes, flies and other insects have no chance to escape.
The pitcher plant forms funnels to trap its prey in
This is how the funnel of a pitcher plant works
In the case of the pitcher plant, leaves form into a trap. They roll up to form a funnel (€5.00) that's wide at the top and tapered at the bottom. The larger the upper funnel diameter, the larger the insects can be. The pitcher plant can even catch wasps with its calyx.
The color of the funnel attracts insects. In addition, the trap exudes a sweet scent that is very attractive.
Once an insect settles on the rim, it slips and falls straight into the liquid at the bottom of the funnel.
Enzymes take care of digestion
The liquid in the funnels contains various enzymes so that the prey can be digested. They decompose the prey and deprive it of nutrients - especially nitrogen and minerals.
Hardly anything remains of the prey itself. Only the chitin shell and the legs of insects are indigestible.
Caring for pitcher plants indoors
If you want to keep a pitcher plant indoors, you need a very bright spot. A sunny south-facing window is a good choice.
Since the plants also need high humidity to form many funnels, they can be grown well in a terrarium or under glass. Of course, this only applies to the smaller species of this carnivorous plant.
Like all carnivorous plants, pitcher plants do not tolerate calcareous water. Only water them with rainwater or alternatively still mineral water.
Pitcher plants are mostly hardy
Pitcher plants grown indoors are kept cooler in winter. Make sure that the humidity does not drop too much. The plant substrate must never dry out completely.
tips
Pitcher plants can also be kept very well on the terrace. The funnels are very decorative, especially since they have a reddish color depending on the species. In contrast to other carnivores, they tolerate slightly below zero temperatures and can also be hibernated outside.