tonyc Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 .....is a big disappointment, I'm afraid! I was there this afternoon and took these pics: These are their capensis Naturally, I was looking forward to seeing their Neps, sadly they were: gracilis: rafflesiana: and (perhaps the best looking of a sorry bunch) something that claims to be a burkei: Admittedly, they told me the glasshouse was only set up this spring, but no-one seems to have done any research. When I suggested to a employee that they didn't need the shading I was told 'I think the horticulturalists here know what they're doing'. She clearly has more faith in her staff than I do. T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 The only email address on their website is postmaster@obg.ox.ac.uk I think you should tell them B&Q do a better job of looking after such plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike King Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 A similar thing happened to me in the Eden project; I asked where the carnivorous plants were? The reply was;"I am sorry, the plants (Nepenthes) came to the end of their natural lives and we removed them"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osmosis Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 That display (or something very like it) has been there a lot longer than this spring - I am sure I remember it being there many years ago. They have (or had) a fine collection of Heliamphoras out back - shame they don't display these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted August 28, 2005 Report Share Posted August 28, 2005 A lot of their CPs come from either Suzy or Julie (I can't remember which), so their lack of care (if that turns out to be the case) is a bit insulting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmie Hansen Posted August 29, 2005 Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 The neps looks horrible! It looks like they have had more sun then the Sarras. As you probaby know I went to the botanical garden in denmark. they had some good looking neps there so I can complain about them. But there darlingtonia californica looked awful. They had it outside with some Sarras and Pings. And the soil was burning up. And was snuff dry. "No we dont have to keep them wet. They can stand some time without water" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyc Posted August 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2005 Osmosis wrote That display (or something very like it) has been there a lot longer than this spring Yes, I recall them having a smaller but much better quality display in their succulent house some years ago. But being alongside the cacti it was in full sun. The new display is in what used to be the orchid house, which never seemed to be opened to the public anyway. Personally, I much preferred the glasshouses before they had their 'dumbing-down' makeover, the fernery in particular with it's gravel-covered staging and rows of plants in moss-covered terra cotta pots and pans had a sort of timeless charm. There was a lone Heliamphora nutans, and it was probably the best looking CP there: and as TyFone mentioned Darlingtonia, well, that's what the label in the middle of this pic reads , I think there are still a couple of signs of life..... T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hen Posted September 1, 2005 Report Share Posted September 1, 2005 i'm off to oxford botanic tomorrow and i have just noticed some things: here is a link to the virtual tour of the garden, click on the arid house: http://www.chem.ox.ac.uk/oxfordtour/botani...dens/tour.html# if you look to the right of the main bed, you will see a small bed of rather healthy looking CP's, so why move them? this is probably just a typo but on the homepage where it says: the insectivorous house, the description reads 'plants from arid regions of the world' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arvetis Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 this is probably just a typo but on the homepage where it says: the insectivorous house, the description reads 'plants from arid regions of the world' Judging by the condition of the plants, that may be a misconception and not a typo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 As a fan of British Universities, I'm disappointed. I wonder if someone here would forward this thread to the appropriate authorities, along with offers of volunteer advice/one time care? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khelljuhg Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Ahh... my uni doesn't have such a glasshouse... (sigh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Crane Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 I am appalled at how little consideration seems to have been given in Oxford and even the eden project..although slightly removed I also informed a nursery owner as to the wrong labels on many of his Nepenthes and recieved an ignorant grunt....I know many of us have different ways of growing our plants but all information is entirely valid and enormously helpful...why cant these experts simply properly research their subjects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khelljuhg Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Oh I should have had a closer look. The Sarraccenia seem to be thirsty, and the D. capensis are not growing well... Isn't D. capensis a die-hard species? It is like CP greenhouses of Japanese poor botanical gardens we have here... They often can't even grow VFT properly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyc Posted September 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 As I started this thread (and I seem to be geographically closer to Oxford than any other poster so far), I think it falls on me to 'take it up with the authorities'. I shall keep you informed. Cheers, T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesara Posted September 3, 2005 Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 Discrace Bye for now Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hen Posted September 3, 2005 Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 this Nepenethes gracilis didn't have any pitchers at all! I wouldn't be suprised if it had just been heeled into the bed in which it's planted! but we hae to give them some credit: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyc Posted September 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 Yay! They can grow water hyacinth! Sorry, since that was uncalled for, here's a pic of their South African Nymphaea to make up for it.... Don't misunderstand me, most of the Oxford Botanic Garden is excellent (I have a season ticket, since I need to visit Oxford quite frequently anyway ). It's just that the CP house could use closer attention....also, the conservatory is a lot less interesting than it once was. T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesara Posted September 3, 2005 Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 lol Had to be called Capensis didnt it lol Bye for now Julian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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