Vandas are Carniverous Orchids

[charlesf6]

?

[estación seca]

I've never noticed them catching bugs. Have you?

[Mr.Fakename]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I've never noticed them catching bugs. Have you?

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.

[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!

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I've never noticed them catching bugs. Have you?

I think so.

[Ray]

The word is “carnivorous”, and the answer is “no”.

[camille1585]

And we should be happy that the answer is no! Imagine walking through a greenhouse full of large Vandas at night, then you feel their long roots coil around your body like a snake, and you are never seen or heard from ever again.... That could make for a good cheap horror movie.

[Paphluvr]

Originally Posted by camille1585

And we should be happy that the answer is no! Imagine walking through a greenhouse full of large Vandas at night, then you feel their long roots coil around your body like a snake, and you are never seen or heard from ever again.... That could make for a good cheap horror movie.

"Revenge of the Vandas"

Produced by: *******
Directed by: Camille1585

[Dorchid]

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