Imagine a plant that eats insects, lives with bats and serves as a model for self-cleaning toilets – the pitcher plant makes it possible! This tropical marvel of nature not only looks spectacular, but also has amazing abilities. If you want to know how the pitcher plant works, how it survives and what you can learn from its clever design, you’ve come to the right place.

A clever trap for insects

The pitcher plant – botanical Nepenthes 🛒 – is one of the most fascinating carnivorous plants in the world. It grows in tropical regions of Southeast Asia, mostly on nutrient-poor soils. Instead of feeding itself through its roots like other plants, it meets its nutrient requirements by eating insects. Its “pitchers” are actually specialized leaves filled with digestive fluid.

As soon as an insect is attracted by nectar and lands on the edge of the pitcher, it is as good as lost. The slippery surface ensures that it slips off and falls into the depths. There it slowly decomposes – and the plant absorbs the nutrients. Slippery, ingenious and pretty brutal.

From spiders to bats: The shared home of the pitcher plant

But the pitcher plant can do even more. It is home to an entire ecosystem: mosquito larvae, spiders, bacteria – even ants and bats use the pitcher plant as a home or toilet. The symbiosis with shrews is particularly exciting: they sit on the broad rim, nibble on the sweet nectar – and fertilize the plant with their excrement at the same time.

Even ants live in the hollow tendrils of some species. They eat leftovers from the pitcher, keep it clean and defend it against predators. In return, the pitcher plant provides them with food and protection.

How the pitcher plant inspires high-tech

Researchers have realized: The slippery surface of the pitcher plant is not only deadly for insects, but also an ingenious template for modern technology. A non-stick coating, inspired by the pitcher plant, makes toilets, sensors and even ships dirt-repellent – and saves water and cleaning agents in the process.

This technology is called “LESS” (Liquid Entrenched Smooth Surface) and functions like an invisible lubricating film. The pitcher plant has therefore left a lasting impression not only in the rainforest, but also in the laboratory.

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The pitcher plant is a true natural genius

The pitcher plant fascinates with its ingenious hunting techniques, its animal co-inhabitants and its ability to inspire high-tech innovations. Whether as an insect trap, bat dwelling or model for self-cleaning surfaces – it shows how ingenious nature really is. So if you’re looking for something unusual for your windowsill or just want to be amazed: the pitcher plant is more than just an exotic – it’s a little marvel!

Source: Fascination Rainforest, Goodimpact, Plantura Garden

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To stay healthy, you should drink enough water every day. If you don’t like the taste of tap water but don’t want to lug around heavy crates of water, a water bubbler (e.g. from SodaStream) is a good choice. It can already be found in more and more kitchens and ensures that sparkling water is available at any time of day or night. To ensure that the sparkling water really tastes good, the sparkling water maker should be cleaned regularly. Find out the best way to do this here.

Sparkling water at the touch of a button

A sparkling water maker is a really clever device: at the touch of a button, it transforms boring tap water into a sparkling thirst quencher. Perhaps you have a SodaStream at home and fill your own sparkling water. However, you should not forget how important it is to clean the sparkling water maker thoroughly. Impurities are often hard to detect, so many just keep on sparkling. But at some point, the rude awakening comes and the sparkling water maker stops working or becomes moldy.

Why should you clean your sparkling water maker?

Even if you only use water with your SodaStream, limescale and germs collect in the appliance and bottles over time. Wet areas are an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and mold spores. However, because these are invisible to the human eye, they can enter the body unnoticed and, in the worst case, make you ill. The seals and nozzles in particular should therefore be cleaned regularly.

How often should the SodaStream be cleaned?

How often your soda maker should be cleaned depends on how often you use it and how calcareous your tap water is. In areas with more calcareous water, you should clean your sparkling water maker every week. If you have soft water, a 2-week cycle is sufficient. The main focus should be on the nozzle.

The bottles, on the other hand, should be cleaned thoroughly at least once a week. If you drink directly from the bottle, it should be rinsed out with water after each use. If you use syrups, you should rinse the bottle thoroughly after each use to prevent syrup residue from sticking to the bottom of the bottle.

Cleaning the bottles

There are usually three different types of bottles for sparkling water makers, which need to be cleaned in different ways:

Glass carafes

Glass bottles require relatively little cleaning as they can easily be put in the dishwasher. However, if you want to use them again straight away, you can of course also clean them manually.

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PET bottles

PET bottles require a little more effort. As they are not dishwasher-safe, they have to be cleaned by hand. Make sure that the water is not too hot, as the bottles do not tolerate temperatures above 50 °C. The bottle caps, on the other hand, can withstand higher temperatures, which is very helpful as mold and germs tend to accumulate in them.

PEN bottles

At first glance, PEN bottles are almost indistinguishable from PET bottles, but they do have one major advantage: they can be put in the dishwasher because they are made of heat-resistant plastic. These bottles are often sold under the name “Tritan”.

Cleaning by hand

1. Fill the bottle 2/3 full with lukewarm water and add a little washing-up liquid.
2. Use a bottle cleaning brush to thoroughly clean the inside of the bottle. (AttentionDon’t forget to clean the bottle cap as well!)
3. Then rinse the bottle with clear water and let it dry upside down.

Tip: You can find special holders in stores that make drying easier and prevent dust from getting in.

For cleaning with special cleaning tabs, which many manufacturers recommend, you should fill the bottle with water up to the fill line and add a tab. Leave it to work for about 15 minutes while you turn the bottle upside down and then rinse with clean water.

Cleaning the nozzle and housing

You should also clean the nozzle regularly to prevent it from becoming clogged with limescale. Citric acid or vinegar are best suited for this.

• Fill the bottle up to the fill line with water and add 2 tablespoons of citric acid or vinegar.
• Now place the bottle in the water bubbler as usual and press the button for a second.
• Leave the liquid to work for about 15 minutes without removing the bottle.
• Then remove the bottle from the bubbler and rinse it thoroughly.
• Fill it with clear water, put the bottle back into the sparkling water maker and press the button again.
• Remove the bottle from the sparkling water maker and leave both to dry.

Tip: Other home remedies that are suitable for cleaning are denture cleaner tabs, baking powder and baking soda.

For severe calcification

If the sparkling water maker does not work despite cleaning, take a look at the proof of purchase. If you still have a warranty on the appliance, send it in to have it repaired by the manufacturer. If the warranty has expired, you can try to take the sparkling water maker apart yourself.

Then place the calcified individual parts in a vinegar solution and leave them to soak for fifteen minutes. If limescale and dirt still do not come off, repeat the process or use a descaler from the drugstore. They often dissolve even stubborn deposits.

Clean the housing

The housing of sparkling water makers can be easily cleaned with a soft cloth and a little washing-up liquid. Also remove any carafe holders and clean them with citric acid or vinegar.

Sometimes you can tell by the taste of the water or the lack of carbon dioxide that something is wrong with the appliance. To keep your sparkling water maker functional and free from germs for a long time, you should clean it regularly.

Sources: otto, gofeminin