Nick in NC
@nicknc.bsky.social
gardener, amateur naturalist. neurobiologist. mennonite.
Views my own. All photos mine. May include predator-prey interactions, spiders, and snakes.
https://sweetgumandpines.wordpress.com
Views my own. All photos mine. May include predator-prey interactions, spiders, and snakes.
https://sweetgumandpines.wordpress.com
The Nepenthes maxima x alata that I got last summer is growing really well and making bigger and bigger pitchers, despite the short winter days. Just an all-round good hybrid.
Based on its vigor, I suspect the “alata” parent was actually the species now called N. graciliflora. 🌴 🌱
Based on its vigor, I suspect the “alata” parent was actually the species now called N. graciliflora. 🌴 🌱
February 3, 2026 at 10:37 PM
The Nepenthes maxima x alata that I got last summer is growing really well and making bigger and bigger pitchers, despite the short winter days. Just an all-round good hybrid.
Based on its vigor, I suspect the “alata” parent was actually the species now called N. graciliflora. 🌴 🌱
Based on its vigor, I suspect the “alata” parent was actually the species now called N. graciliflora. 🌴 🌱
Reposted by Nick in NC
Today I'd like to honor the memory of my mentor and friend, Roger Tsien, born 1952 February 1. Today would have been Roger's 74th birthday.
Most know Roger for his 2008 Chemistry Nobel Prize with Shimomura and Chalfie. Roger made GFP into the versatile imaging method it is now.
Most know Roger for his 2008 Chemistry Nobel Prize with Shimomura and Chalfie. Roger made GFP into the versatile imaging method it is now.
February 1, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Today I'd like to honor the memory of my mentor and friend, Roger Tsien, born 1952 February 1. Today would have been Roger's 74th birthday.
Most know Roger for his 2008 Chemistry Nobel Prize with Shimomura and Chalfie. Roger made GFP into the versatile imaging method it is now.
Most know Roger for his 2008 Chemistry Nobel Prize with Shimomura and Chalfie. Roger made GFP into the versatile imaging method it is now.
This is simultaneously the most anxiety-inducing and most satisfying weather for a greenhouse owner. If the heater fails at night, everything will die, but with the sun reflecting off the snow today, it’s 29 C and 75% humidity inside. Looks, feels, and smells like a tropical vacation. 🌱 🌴
February 1, 2026 at 5:27 PM
This is simultaneously the most anxiety-inducing and most satisfying weather for a greenhouse owner. If the heater fails at night, everything will die, but with the sun reflecting off the snow today, it’s 29 C and 75% humidity inside. Looks, feels, and smells like a tropical vacation. 🌱 🌴
I never noticed before that the old chimney in the woods has a date written in the mortar on the back. It was only century from construction to almost complete dissolution. In this climate, the woods will eat a house very quickly once it is abandoned.
January 31, 2026 at 10:33 PM
I never noticed before that the old chimney in the woods has a date written in the mortar on the back. It was only century from construction to almost complete dissolution. In this climate, the woods will eat a house very quickly once it is abandoned.
Finally got some snow. It’s been coming down pretty hard for several hours. All the prep for the Ice Storm That Wasn’t last weekend will come in handy now.
January 31, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Finally got some snow. It’s been coming down pretty hard for several hours. All the prep for the Ice Storm That Wasn’t last weekend will come in handy now.
It’s cold and grey and icy this morning, so reposting some old photos with brighter colors.
A few of my Dad's photos from Iran, mid 1970s. I guess these are almost old enough to count as history. Scans from 35 mm slides
First one: Qashqai nomads along the road between Ahvaz and Shiraz, spring 1978. 1/10
First one: Qashqai nomads along the road between Ahvaz and Shiraz, spring 1978. 1/10
January 31, 2026 at 2:09 PM
It’s cold and grey and icy this morning, so reposting some old photos with brighter colors.
Reposted by Nick in NC
Seychelles Pitcher Plant and Bilimb Marron https://www.wikiart.org/en/marianne-north/seychelles-pitcher-plant-and-bilimb-marron-1883
January 29, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Seychelles Pitcher Plant and Bilimb Marron https://www.wikiart.org/en/marianne-north/seychelles-pitcher-plant-and-bilimb-marron-1883
Rhododendron ‘Lava Drops’, a miniature vireya.
The cross is (‘Hot Tropic’ x R. saxifragoides)F2 🌴 🌱
The cross is (‘Hot Tropic’ x R. saxifragoides)F2 🌴 🌱
January 29, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Rhododendron ‘Lava Drops’, a miniature vireya.
The cross is (‘Hot Tropic’ x R. saxifragoides)F2 🌴 🌱
The cross is (‘Hot Tropic’ x R. saxifragoides)F2 🌴 🌱
Sad. I loved browsing through the Glasshouse Works catalog back in the day. Still have a Pachypodium windsorii I bought from them in the mid 90s.
January 28, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Sad. I loved browsing through the Glasshouse Works catalog back in the day. Still have a Pachypodium windsorii I bought from them in the mid 90s.
Well, I think we are as ready as we can be for this storm. Have firewood, have propane. Cars parked close to the house, as far from trees as possible. Hoping no trees drop on roof or greenhouse.
This is bringing back unpleasant memories of 2002. Ice storm in the forest is not fun.
This is bringing back unpleasant memories of 2002. Ice storm in the forest is not fun.
January 24, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Well, I think we are as ready as we can be for this storm. Have firewood, have propane. Cars parked close to the house, as far from trees as possible. Hoping no trees drop on roof or greenhouse.
This is bringing back unpleasant memories of 2002. Ice storm in the forest is not fun.
This is bringing back unpleasant memories of 2002. Ice storm in the forest is not fun.
Tariffs on the UK are going to raise the cost of my Marmite habit, aren’t they?
January 17, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Tariffs on the UK are going to raise the cost of my Marmite habit, aren’t they?
Blog post with more detailed information about the Trichopilia suavis. 🌱 🌴
January 17, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Blog post with more detailed information about the Trichopilia suavis. 🌱 🌴
Trichopilia suavis flowers in my greenhouse this cold evening. I’ve been growing this plant for about 5 years, but this is the first time I have successfully bloomed it. So, Yay!
🌱 🌴 #orchids
🌱 🌴 #orchids
January 16, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Trichopilia suavis flowers in my greenhouse this cold evening. I’ve been growing this plant for about 5 years, but this is the first time I have successfully bloomed it. So, Yay!
🌱 🌴 #orchids
🌱 🌴 #orchids
That’s some mighty fine color this evening.
January 13, 2026 at 10:41 PM
That’s some mighty fine color this evening.
Feed me! Upper pitcher of Nepenthes ‘Lady Luck’ (N. ampullaria x ventricosa).
A very common hybrid but usually seen in smaller sizes. It needs to vine for several feet before producing the funnel-shaped upper pitchers. 🌱 🌴
A very common hybrid but usually seen in smaller sizes. It needs to vine for several feet before producing the funnel-shaped upper pitchers. 🌱 🌴
January 13, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Feed me! Upper pitcher of Nepenthes ‘Lady Luck’ (N. ampullaria x ventricosa).
A very common hybrid but usually seen in smaller sizes. It needs to vine for several feet before producing the funnel-shaped upper pitchers. 🌱 🌴
A very common hybrid but usually seen in smaller sizes. It needs to vine for several feet before producing the funnel-shaped upper pitchers. 🌱 🌴
The Eno. You’re not going to have much luck in a boat, but you can wade in it or walk along its banks, and find a bunch of really interesting creatures under its rocks.
January 12, 2026 at 10:42 PM
The Eno. You’re not going to have much luck in a boat, but you can wade in it or walk along its banks, and find a bunch of really interesting creatures under its rocks.
Christmas rose (Helleborus niger). The neighbors’ honeybees are busy on an unseasonably warm day. 🌱
January 10, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Christmas rose (Helleborus niger). The neighbors’ honeybees are busy on an unseasonably warm day. 🌱
A few shiitakes this morning.
January 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM
A few shiitakes this morning.
Noticed a cool gecko on the wall outside, ran to see, collided with door, gave self a concussion.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Noticed a cool gecko on the wall outside, ran to see, collided with door, gave self a concussion.
Dendrobium lindleyi flowering a little early this year. I keep it outside in autumn until the first frost is forecast, then hang it about 8ft high in the greenhouse with absolutely no water until it flowers. 🌱 🌴 #orchids
January 4, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Dendrobium lindleyi flowering a little early this year. I keep it outside in autumn until the first frost is forecast, then hang it about 8ft high in the greenhouse with absolutely no water until it flowers. 🌱 🌴 #orchids
And he comes from behind to win New Year Catan, surprising even himself!
January 1, 2026 at 8:39 PM
And he comes from behind to win New Year Catan, surprising even himself!
What is going on here?!? 🌱
Williamsburg, VA
at first, I thought it was wisteria strangling an old tree, but all of the tissue seems to be the same plant.
Williamsburg, VA
at first, I thought it was wisteria strangling an old tree, but all of the tissue seems to be the same plant.
January 1, 2026 at 4:17 PM
What is going on here?!? 🌱
Williamsburg, VA
at first, I thought it was wisteria strangling an old tree, but all of the tissue seems to be the same plant.
Williamsburg, VA
at first, I thought it was wisteria strangling an old tree, but all of the tissue seems to be the same plant.
Roadtrip food:
Wawa hoagie > Buc-ee’s brisket sandwich.
Wawa hoagie > Buc-ee’s brisket sandwich.
December 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Roadtrip food:
Wawa hoagie > Buc-ee’s brisket sandwich.
Wawa hoagie > Buc-ee’s brisket sandwich.
The great thing about iNaturalist is that when you are in a strange city for the holidays and social batteries are depleted, it can tell you where to go to recharge.
Desmognathus fuscus, northern dusky salamander, Williamsburg, VA. #herps 1 of 3
Desmognathus fuscus, northern dusky salamander, Williamsburg, VA. #herps 1 of 3
December 31, 2025 at 2:40 PM
The great thing about iNaturalist is that when you are in a strange city for the holidays and social batteries are depleted, it can tell you where to go to recharge.
Desmognathus fuscus, northern dusky salamander, Williamsburg, VA. #herps 1 of 3
Desmognathus fuscus, northern dusky salamander, Williamsburg, VA. #herps 1 of 3
Front approaching. First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, December 29.
The park marks the site at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay where the first British colonists made landfall in 1607.
The park marks the site at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay where the first British colonists made landfall in 1607.
December 31, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Front approaching. First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach, December 29.
The park marks the site at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay where the first British colonists made landfall in 1607.
The park marks the site at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay where the first British colonists made landfall in 1607.