Vandas are Carniverous Orchids

[jcec1]

Originally Posted by Mr.Fakename

I have, here's a pic

While technically not carnivorous, I think Vandaceous do the same thing palm trees and Catasetum do; and catch all the crap they can get in their leaves.

I had recently been thinking this, both my vandas and catasetum do this, they exude a lot of happy sap and I was thinking that might be to attract flies, they do seem to collect in the leaf folds, and I presume in the wild these would fill up with water and there would be a nutrient soup collecting there, and then feeding the plant.

[Mr.Fakename]

Originally Posted by jcec1

I had recently been thinking this, both my vandas and catasetum do this, they exude a lot of happy sap and I was thinking that might be to attract flies, they do seem to collect in the leaf folds, and I presume in the wild these would fill up with water and there would be a nutrient soup collecting there, and then feeding the plant.

The plant I took a pic of lives outside, the black residue is actual organic matter that decomposed.

The leaf folds are full of small debris that got blown by the wind and washed down by rain.
When it rains, water stays for a few hours and lots of insects come to drink.

I wouldn't be surprised if this theory is true!

[My Green Pets]

I agree that passively captured organic material, living or not, eventually breaks down and can be washed over the roots by the rain.

[charlesf6]

It appears they're perching upon the roots and gradually mummifying with it's persistance on staying there.

I coaxed one off tonight but then it refused to leave the instrument I used for the removal.

Finally flew away, not sure for how long though.

[Dorchid]

The fungi make the insect craw to the tip of shoots/branches/etc (typically a high point) and then grab on tight with their mandibles (in the case of ants). Then they die and spore bearing structures develop to release spores on the breeze. Likely, the “mummification” is fungal mycelium and sporangia. You should throw one under the scope or magnifying glass for a better look.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I think many clowesium and catasetum as well as grammatophyllum all make root nests to catch leaf litter and other debris for food. Bulb beccarii as well. I am sure there are a lot more but none are carnivores. They all need other creatures to break it down for their roots.

[Dorchid]

Here’s a vid on one that uses drosophila.

[Dorchid]

And some pics of various insects that succumbed.

[Dorchid]

Then of course, there’s also zomby woof, not to be confused with the myriad of endoparasitic fungi.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by Dorchid

I would suspect some type of cordyceps was responsible. Zombie/puppeteer fungi.

Thank you for that assumption.

---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:15 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

I've seen people who won't let go of orchids during the opening rush at big sales.