Discover the deadly beauty of carnivorous plants

May 14—Jack Gazin, a Payne County Master Gardener, is educating people about carnivorous plants.

Gazin began a Tuesday lecture at the OSU Botanic Garden with something many people would be familiar with.

"Has anyone in here seen 'Little Shop of Horrors?'" Gazin asked.

Some plants take in nutrients a little differently.

Gazin went over the various carnivorous plants, their needs, and where they live. He also showed off the different types he owns. He even went over the different pots to keep them in.

He even inspired his wife Tamara Walkingstick to grow more interested in carnivorous plants. She found them to be beautiful and really useful.

"We had a fungus gnat infestation a couple weeks ago," Walkingstick said. "I mean it was just remarkable, and the plants were just black with gnats."

Katelyn Albertson said she's been coming to Master Gardener lectures monthly. Albertson often found herself taking care of inside plants such as monstera, pothos, succulents and aloe. She even grows veggies and fruits such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

"I've tried having (carnivorous plants) in the past but it didn't work out, but I wanted them because they're cool," Albertson said. "So that's why I came to learn how to properly take care of them."

Katherine Dollar said she found the seminar really interesting.

Dollar was drawn in by the "cool factor" of these plants. She loves to show off her plants with themed events she's hosted in the past and wanted to do the same thing with carnivorous plants while also recognizing that they also have a more practical use.

"I wanna learn more about the carnivorous plants from someone who's worked with them," Dollar said. "...You don't know anything about them to be able to learn more about what their purpose is."