Binataboy Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Last Friday myself and a friend, Steve, went hunting for CPs in the Victorian highlands. We had heard that there was U. monanthos, D. arcturi and a strange form of summer growing D. peltata growing at the Bogong High plains in Victorias North East. In a moment of inspiration we decided we could do this trip in one day, as it couldn't be more than about 4 hours drive from where we live. We set out at 9 in the morning, and after a few “short cuts” that turned into 4WD tracks, and getting lost once we finally made it to Falls Creek, at 3:15… Not exactly what we had planed! We set out in search of some sphagnum bogs to find some plants with time against us as we only had a bit over 2 hours of light left in the day. After searching a few locations with no luck, we kept moving higher up the range until we go to about 1660m when we spotted a very nice bog. A quick look around revealed the whole area to be a large expanse of sphagnum and herbatious plants with a small water course running through with intermittent shallow pools. It wasn’t long until we spotted some D. arcturi growing in the area. While I was getting my camera ready to get some pics of the arcturi, Steve pointed to a spot not much more than a foot away with a nice little purple flower in it. We had found U. monanthos as well. As we examined the area further we found a lot of monanthos spread throughout the sphagnum and clumps of arcturi scattered through the sphagnum at the edges of the water. The season was coming to an end for the arcturi, it had finished flowering and the older leaves were dying back. The monanthos was still in flower but there were not many new unopened scapes so this would not have been in flower for too much longer Unfortunatly time was against us as the light was fading quickly making photography quite difficult and we had to head home before extending our search for D. peltata. With the light fading we headed home, this time we avoided the “short cuts” and got back in about 5 ¼ hours. A great trip that is definitely worth doing again, but I think needs a little better planning next time! A nice D. arcturi U. monanthos flower, the scapes were very short, not much taller than 25mm U. monanthos growing with some arcturi. The monanthos flower spike all seemed to have multiple flowers on them, you can see some swelling seed pods in this pic. A view of where some of the plants were growing. You can see the path the water was trickling through. A closer look at a typical water course, Some arcturi and monanthos growing by some water. Steve trying to get the perfect pic. And who said it was easy, he is lying in wet sphagnum!! George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Spence Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Moved to CP photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Spence Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Great work George. I really wish I could have come along. Definitely next year- with a bit more planning and time to spend checking out the area. Even though you had such a short time there it certainly appeared to be worth it. Your photos weren't working so I fixed them up for you. Sean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schimatrix Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Hi George, those pics are very nice but first of all the account of your trip is definitely absorbing! thanks a lot for sharing! giuseppe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob H Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Superb George, maybe you should set up a web-site with all your adventures on? I, for one, would enjoy the read. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aidan Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 George - Very interesting. A two day trip next time perhaps!!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave2150 Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Great photos :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denmark.dk Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Nice photos. You must post some pics of those droseras, when they've broken their dormacy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maria Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Very nice pics, George. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 I summer growing peltata could be a great addition to the CP growing community. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Spence Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Tim, We'll be putting in a big effort next season to find the summer growing D. peltata and collect some seeds. Apparently the plant grows to about 20 cm tall is bright red and reproduces by adventitious stolons which is unusual for D. peltata. It supposedly grows in extremely wet situations and is covered by snow for around 7 months of the year. Should be a very interesting form. Sean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamH Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Sounds like a fantastic variant of D.peltata! Keep us informed! P.S. I'm hoping to visit Australia (+ maybe NZ) in the fairly near future (later this year or next), and fancy a few CP field trips....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Spence Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 No worries Adam. If you manage to make it to Melbourne I'll be more than happy to show you a few of my favourite CP locations. Sean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Langy Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Hi, George Great account, and fantastic photos. Keep up the excellent work... :wavey: Langy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamH Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 Thanks for the kind offer Sean - hopefully I'll make it over there in the near future. Likewise, if you or George ever happen to "pop over" to Wales, I can show you some nice CP sites with Drosera and Pinguicula (and maybe Utricularia)! P.S. Thanks for the photos George - fantastic fieldtrip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderman Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 like adam i am hoping to visit relatives in AUS this year,well Perth,C.P heaven can not wait,dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Spence Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi Adam, I'd kill to see any Ping species in the wild some day. I have many relatives in Glasgow so maybe I'll make it up there one day. If my wife has anything to do with it we will! Sean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Spence Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 Dave, I can guarantee you will love Perth. I have only been across to WA once and I was blown away. It truly is CP heaven. If you are lucky you'll be there around September or October- the prime time for most of the Droseras and Utrics. Sean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Binataboy Posted April 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2004 I will definatly be going back around March next year. I am determined to hunt down this strange peltata. But I think this will be the last feild trip for a few months as tuberous Drosera have not emerged from dormancy yet and the summer growers have mostly disapeared for the season If anyone is heading over this part of the world I would be more than happy to show them a few nice CP spots!! The web site is comming... George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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