Early Birthday Pitcher Picture

Pitcher Picture...reminds me of Mr. Rogers Picture Picture from my childhood!  For anyone who may not be familiar with Mr. Rogers, Fred Rogers hosted a children's program on PBS.  One of his segments included video clips of various factory processes, helping children understand how things are made through a process with a beginning, middle and end.  (Gee...could you guess that I have a teaching degree in early childhood and elementary education?!) 

Courtesy PBS.org

Here's my Pitcher Picture...

This Pitcher Plant, or Nepenthes,

has been on my wish list. 

I can now scratch it off

since this beauty is an early birthday present! 

Woo Hoo!!!

HAPPY DANCE!!!!

courtesy of wikipedia.com

I'm intrigued with this interesting plant.

It's shape and color are truly unique.

This specific genus, Nepenthes, has 120 species

with additional numerous hybrids and cultivars.

Mine is known as an old world variety,

where the pitchers grow from the ends of the tendrils

that extend from the leaves.

In this photo, a young pitcher is forming from the tentril.

The "lid" hasn't formed yet

and the pitcher is still small and green.

The foliage is nothing to write home about.

The pitchers are the show stoppers.

This photo shows the back of the "neck" of the pitcher and its lid. 

The "lips" or top of the pitcher opening has an interestingly ribbed texture.

The plant grows in moist areas and does not like to be dry.

The pitchers contain a bit of liquid or water at the base, as pitchers do.

Insects are attracted into the pitcher by pigmentation or smell.

The sides of the cavity are slippery ensuring the bugs cannot climb out. 

Once inside, they are trapped at the bottom to drown.

The body of the insect is gradually dissolved and absorbed by the plant.

Here's a glimpse into the belly of one of the pitchers

where some bugs have met their demise.

Yes, the lovely pitcher plant is a carnivore.

Courtesy istock

I noticed a little bug crawling up the tendril of a pitcher.

I wonder if it knows my plant's secret?!

For me, this is the perfect addition to my poolside patio!

Organic bug control!!

And pretty at the same time!

I'm participating in Noel's monthly

Hot! Loud! and Proud! meme

(on the last day of each month). 

I think my early birthday gift is extremely HOT!

and I am very PROUD! of my new addition!!

Join in the fun or

just check out the other Hot Loud and Proud entries

at Noels blog A Plant Fanatic in Hawaii!

"YELLO!"

This month's HOT! LOUD! and PROUD! features

the blazing color of YELLOW!

Do you remember the movie, "Secret of My Success"

starring Michael J. Foxx? Here's the famous limousine scene...

Yes, this video is blazing hot, as is the Swiss band "Yello"  who recorded the tune in 1985 on their "Stella" album (yes, it was an album back then).  The song is more widely known for it's role in the cult hit "Ferris Beuhler's Day Off" (fantastic production filmed in my home base of Chicago starring the adorable Matthew Broderick).

Yellow is by far my favorite color in the garden. 
It brightens every corner, even the smallest.

Bulbine is best appreciated up close.

No need for binoculars to spot this proud Allamanda vine!

The butterflies spot the Tropical Milkweed from miles away!

Maui Yellow Ixora proudly exhibits it's blooms in large clusters!

Beach sunflowers (Helianthus debilis) 

are not only Hot, Loud and Proud, they're hardy as well!

The Chrysopsis stands up to the sand and salt!

This little Tickseed makes a bold statement with it's

symetrically sculptured petals!

The Lantana Gold Mound is bright, cheerful and hardy also!

This Yellow Hibiscus with it's Rosey center is the spotlight of my

HOT yellow garden!

But, selfishly, I cannot in good conscience discuss  HOT YELLOW
without including my HOT! VERY LOUD! and PROUD garden companion, LOLA! 

Notice her blazing yellow underside.  She's brilliant!

What?!  Your HOT! LOUD! and PROUD appetite isn't filled?!  You crave MORE?! 
Well, then, I suggest you hop right over to
Neol's monthly HOT! LOUD! and PROUD meme
to digest more blazing hot posts!!!
(Noel's meme is the last day of every month if you'd like to join in!)

Bolivian Sunset

This month's "HOT, LOUD and PROUD" meme,

brought to you by Lola and my good friend, Noel at

 A Plant Fanatic in Hawaii,

features my insanely HOT Bolivian Sunset, ie Gloxinia sylvatica. 

Say What?!?!  Glox what?  OK...it's a gorgeous orange/red hot bloom

with deep green foliage.

Although I grow mine outside in bright, indirect sun, this Bolivian diva can be grown INDOORS for anyone who doesn't enjoy a tropical environment outdoors. 

Southern gardeners growing this red hot specimen outside must keep the soil moist, but not soggy and give it plenty of room as it reaches out in it's ground cover habit. 

Can you believe it's from Bolivia and Peru?  Hmmmm...what gave it away? So Spicy!!!!

The most amazing views are those that show the intricate details of this blazing beauty! (click on the photo to view the peppery, bumpy interior...if you can stand the HEAT!!)

If you're feeling a bit HOT, Spicy, LOUD, Boisterous, and PROUD, head on over to Noel's to taste a bit more of the HEAT!!!