My Ivysaur’s favourite snack is nuts, especially pistachios. Image credit: Jozanto Soe Aung
Ivysaur has bounds of energy – so much so that he rarely sits still. One of the reasons for his get-up-and-go attitude is that he has two energy sources: metabolism and photosynthesis. This article will look at these two methods and how Ivysaur uses them to get moving.
Using the Light
Ivysaur uses photosynthesis to create sugar using the Sun’s energy. This technique is used by all plants, from mosses to trees. Here is how it works:
Ivysaur’s leaves are filled with a substance called chlorophyll (that’s what makes his leaves green). This substance holds many piles of small discs called chloroplasts. As sunlight hits the chloroplasts, it activates a protein in the leaf cell called an enzyme
Enzymes speed up chemical reactions for many different processes. The enzymes used in photosynthesis break up water molecules into oxygen, hydrogen and electrons. Ivysaur gets water by drinking, like you and me, while typical plants get water from their roots
The hydrogen released from the water molecule teams up with some electrons to transform chemical NADP into NADPH. This then reacts with other chemicals in the plant to form sugar
The oxygen released from the water escapes from the leaf into the atmosphere. We breathe oxygen, which is one reason why photosynthesising Pokémon and plants are so important!
Food for thought
Ivysaur’s second method of getting energy is eating, like you and me. Ivysaur is an omnivore, which means he eats both plants and animals. My Ivysaur’s favourite snack is nuts, especially pistachios. I don’t know where he got it from as I’m not a nut fan! Wild Ivysaur are opportunists and their natural diet includes nuts, berries, vegetables, leafy greens, grasses, flowers, snakes, frogs, eggs and birds. It is best to try and reflect this diet as closely as possible, mainly focusing on vegetables. Here is how Ivysaur gets his energy from eating:
First (Ivysaur’s favouritepart, he tells me), Ivysaur chooses something to eat. My guess is pistachios! As he eats, he chews the food with his teeth. An Ivysaur has two types of teeth: molars and canines. Canines are pointy, designed for ripping and tearing. They are situated at the front of the jaw. Ivysaur’s molars are larger and flatter, located at the back of the mouth. These are used for grinding down plants and breaking up food
As Ivysaur chews, his mouth produces saliva. Spit is filled with enzymes that are specialised at breaking down sugars
Once it has been chewed, food is then swallowed. It travels down the oesophagus (a muscly tube in his neck) and travels into the stomach
The stomach is a muscular sac that contains acid. The stomach vigorously moves food around, while mixing it with the acid and breaks it down to a pulp. As the food is pulverised, specific sugar-processing enzymes continue the job of breaking down sugar into a simpler sugar, glucose
The pulpy food moves from the stomach into the intestines. The glucose is transferred into the body cells through the intestines, which are lined with a series of bumps that ‘catch’ the food
The body uses insulin to tell cells to let glucose in. The cells then use glucose to create energy
You love Pokémon? Well now you can dress like them too! This set of posts are designed to give you some inspirations so you can pull together some outfits based on your favourite Pokémon! The styles are all simple, so you can achieve the look no matter what your budget! These outfits were drawn by Elaineayana.
For Ivysaur, these easy-to-wear paper bag waist trousers will help keep you on trend and ready to go. This is paired with a black crisscross cami and a silky lace bolero.
Keep your Ivysaur in top running order by keeping them active. Image Credit: Jozanto Soe Aung
Ivysaur sure have a lot of energy! All that vigour can get misdirected into destructive behaviour if you don’t give your Ivysaur regular, rigourous exercise. One excellent way to do that is training using agility courses. This guide will show you some of the best Ivysaur workouts and the equipment you can get to help.
Why Agility is Awesome
Ivysaur are best at using the field to their advantage, but their stocky build can cause a lot of drag. Keep your Ivysaur in top running order by keeping them active. Some benefits to using an agility course include:
Agility is all about high-paced controlled movement, which will help tremendously in battle. The course will also give Ivysaur a mental workout by learning how to use each piece of equipment
Agility training helps develop your communication with Ivysaur, as you learn to give accurate and precise orders
This training technique can also be fun party piece! Your Ivysaur will love showing off his moves just as much as you’ll enjoy demonstrating your strong trainer skills
What is an Agility Course?
An agility course consists of a set of equipment, called ‘contacts’. There are typically 12-18 obstacles in a complete professional course, but you should start with one or two and build up. This guide will show the top five pieces of agility equipment and explain how to use them.
Tunnels
Tunnels are an easy way to train for speed, focus and listening to instructions. It is one of the simplest to teach.
It starts with trust. Your Ivysaur must believe that the dark, enclosed space is safe to go into, and that nothing scary is lurking inside. In the wild, Ivysaur tend to sleep out in the open, choosing to use camouflage rather than shelter. Small spaces are not his forte. In addition, natural ‘tunnels’ such as hollow tree logs and caves are often heavily guarded by the Pokémon living inside.
Begin by putting some of your Ivysaur’s favourite treats or toys near the entrance of the tunnel. Let him explore by himself at first and don’t introduce commands just yet. Every time he goes near the entrance of the tunnel (or better, inside) give him lots of praise. He should get the message.
Getting your Ivysaur to travel all the way through a tunnel may take lots of patience and repetition. Start with a short tunnel, and place treats throughout. If you’re lucky, he’ll just head straight through following the treats. If not, team up with someone else your Ivysaur is familiar with (perhaps a family member or human / Pokémon friend. You encourage him to go in the tunnel, while your friend encourages him to go out the other end. Gradually lengthen the tunnel, and once he has the hang of it you can start introducing bends.
To step it up, make or buy a multi-branch tunnel. Use colour markers to indicate which branch you want him to follow. Another customisation level of advanced courses is to create hills and drops in your tunnel.
Jumps
Ivysaur aren’t natural jumpers. They much prefer to have all four feet planted to the ground. However, jumping is a great way to build body strength. You can use skipping ropes, hoops, jumping fences, or just set up logs at different heights. I have found most success with the latter, but my trainer friends all have their favourites.
I once trained an Ivysaur for aPokémon Ranger who was looking to put on an event at the park. His Ivysaur was getting restless and his trainer had decided to make him part of the show. They had a series of hoops they wanted the Ivysaur to jump through, but he just couldn’t get up that high. The more they tried to encourage him, the more worried he got until it was almost at breaking point. I always think about him to help me remember that slow and steady is the best course.
I moved the hoop very low to the ground so that Ivysaur would only have to step through. I then tempted him with little pieces of orange – his favourite treat. We did that a few times a day for a week, then I slowly stepped it up so he’d have to do a little hop through the hoop. Using little baby steps like this helped to improve his confidence. After that, my ranger friend was able to take over. We managed to get that Ivysaur jumping through hoops in less than two months, just in time for the show.
Ramps
Training an Ivysaur to use a ramp is a very useful trick. Not only is it a key item for endurance training in an agility course, but it can also help prepare elderly Ivysaur for transportation in and out of cars.
Ramps are very easy to train. The only issue, really, will come if your Ivysaur is afraid of heights. It is essential that you address this fear first before introducing a timid Ivysaur to a high ramp: even if it doesn’t look all that high to you!
An Ivysaur’s fear can be tackled very similar to human fear. Try to slowly desensitise him to the situation. Is he afraid of going up stairs? Try and encourage him to go up step by step. Then, see if he will look over the banister. If the fear is persistent, you could try using a hypnotherapist or Pokémon therapist to find out the cause of the issue. The ones that incorporate other Pokémon into the treatment are best, unless your Ivysaur is a good drawer.
Targets
Targets are one of the best training methods if your aim is for battling, as well as exercise. Your Ivysaur should be quite talented at hitting targets already, as he has known Vine Whip from level 7 or so. Your job is to make things more difficult. Here are some ways to create a more dynamic target practice:
Attach targets to a washing line (one of those that moves on a pulley system) and move the targets back and forth. Alternatively, install a pole in your training grounds and do the same, but vertically
Use AI-based targets (you can get these from some Pokémarts) where they make sounds or light up. You can programme different layouts, and even set it to music for a new challenge
Use the clay discs used in clay pigeon shooting as targets. You could also use a frisbee
Hide some targets around the house or garden and tell Ivysaur to make a muddy vine print when he finds them. This won’t train for hitting targets, but is is a unique way to help him use his brain
Use a tennis ball machine to train quick reaction times. Make sure it is not pointed directly at your Ivysaur, but just to the left or right of him
Weave Poles
Weave Poles improve dexterity and precision. They also look great in shows, if you get several Ivysaur doing it one after another. If you time it right, you can get one little head poking out to the right, while his follower pokes his head to the left. Always makes me giggle.
Teaching weave poles is one of the more challenging to train, as your Ivysaur can’t just explore by himself. Start him to the first pole is at his right shoulder, and put a treat to the right of it. As he goes for the first treat, put another on the left of the next pole. Hopefully, he will walk in the right direction. Once he gets the hang of it, introduce some sort of cue. I wave my hand in a little S shape, like a snake wriggling through grass. You only need to do this when he is at the start of the weave.
You can practice weaving out and about by getting your Ivysaur to weave in and out of your legs when taking wide steps. Remember, though, that the outside world has many exciting distractions and your Ivysaur may not be as focused as he is in the environment of your home or training ground.
All of them had clearly enjoyed their adventure. Image credit: Thyfany Ron
Through the peaceful shade of the trees, sunlight trickled through like the last fragments of fallen rain. Each drop drifted down, flashing the area beneath. As the brief sparks of sun found their way to the earth, a patch of vegetation opened a single eye. Summer.
The heat was so intense it could be smelled in the air. It was pleasant, in smaller doses. The shrub gave a low sigh. She had lost her concern for the sun long before. Dancing in the stream, playing with the others: it was a younger bulb’s game. Now, the greatest concern she held was the pleasantness of the shade and the beauty of a good nap. Taking a deep sigh, she relaxed back onto her stomach, her stumpy legs curling up to cover her eyes.
The silence did not last long. An echoing boom rang through the forest, shaking the trees and the earth. Once more, the shrub’s eyes flashed open and a low sigh gurgled up from the pit of her stomach. With a grunt from both the creature’s lips and legs, the large patch of shrubbery struggled to its feet. A low growl rumbled out from the shrub’s mouth before it began to lumber forwards.
Coming to a thicker patch of vegetation, the shrub uncoiled a pair of vines from around the flower that rested on its back and sharply slapped the brambles apart. The creature skulked forwards, coming to a stop at the edge of the greenery. A small clearing lay ahead, a grass field spilling out into the open before ending in a rough rock wall.
Atop the patch of rocks stood a large Mankey, its furred limbs raised as it screeched down in warning. Below the Mankey, cowering behind a patch of rocks, was a small horde of baby Nidoran. The little things squealed and shrieked, bumping their heads against each other for reassurance. The Mankey didn’t seem to care for this small family and instead continued to cry itself, thumping the floor with its foot. It was an unusual affair, the shrub concluded.
The Mankey was always grumpy by nature and the little ones there had strayed too far from their mother. They were eager to run, that much was clear, but their terror kept them rooted to the spot and clinging to one another for support. They were in no real threat, the shrub knew. Mankey, feral though they might be, knew better than to anger a poison type. Still, Mankey are stubborn things and so, instead, it continued to shriek and bawl, pounding the floor with its limbs.
The sound was like a drumbeat, obnoxious and constant. The shrub growled, crouching down into the nearby plants and hoping the poor children would see sense and dart for the safety of the undergrowth sooner rather than later.
Her hopes were dashed as further loud shrieking called from above. Pidgeys. Those ambitious but arrogant little things had started to circle. It wasn’t long before one of them took a swoop at the big bully. The Mankey screeched again, swatting at its new enemies. The fresh noise startled the baby Nidoran more and they swarmed towards the rock, hoping to gain shelter from it.
This, of course, only served to anger the Mankey more, who began stamping on his rock and swiping down in an effort to scare the young ones away. It didn’t work. Worse still, it attracted further problems. Beedrill and Butterfree were disturbed by the banging. They emerged and began to circle as well. Their curious buzzing mingled with the rest of the noise. Soon, the entire group was as angry as the Mankey was and the noise was only getting louder.
This, the shrub decided, simply would not do. With a loud grumble, she struggled forwards from her hiding place, emerging into the brightness of the clearing. No-one noticed her approach. Nor did they notice as she settled beside them all and took a deep breath. The light of the sun fell free of the shade here, flowing into the shrub’s outstretched flower. It twitched, reaching for the sun in turn, before folding out as a puff of golden spores rose into the air. The spores rose steadily. They hit the Mankey first. For a moment, the Mankey was angered further. What strange attack was this? The creature’s rage did not last for long. His swings to the sky became more and more half-hearted and his pounding on the rock floor lost its lustre.
The gathered Pidgey, likewise, seemed to lose energy as the spores finally took hold. Their swoops became lazier, until they simply flopped to the ground and nested beside the Mankey they had once fought. The insect Pokemon, soothed by the growing silence, soon left after an encouraging vine whip from the shrub dispersed them. The shrub turned to the baby Nidoran and gave a low groan. The Nidoran did not need to be told twice. They filed out from their shade under the rock and scurried towards their new saviour.
As the shrub opened its flower wide, the Nidorans took shelter, nuzzling against their new friend. This, they decided, was much better than the rock they had so fiercely tried to covet. The shrub gave another low call to the Mankey, who replied in kind with a nod, before shooing away the Pidgey and curling up atop his rock. With the chaos defused, the shrub turned to leave with the crowd of Nidorans trailing behind her.
There were seven in total, three boys and four girls, and all of them had clearly enjoyed their adventure, now it was all done. It didn’t take long for the fading excitement to dull into weariness. The poor creatures stumbled forwards a few more steps before flopping down beside the shrub. She was warm and pleasant company. The shrub cared little, but was at least glad the little ones appeared to share her respect for rest. With a lazy shrug of her great legs, the shrub collapsed back into the shade, the small swarm of Nidoran resting around her. As one nuzzled up to her, the Ivysaur gave a grateful sigh and closed her eyes once more. Peace at last.
Ivysaur have a high drive and almost dogged persistence. Image Credit: faiahaato
There are a multitude of benefits and limitations you get from different Pokémon. This SWOT analysis helps you decide whether to include Ivysaur to your battle team, and includes specialist advice for both breeder and catcher, as well as combatants facing this Pokémon in battle.
Strengths
Similar to its predecessor, Ivysaur has a sharp mind and a deep understanding of the natural environment. Except, now, he has the stamina and dexterity to boot. I’ve always said the army could go a long way by recruiting more Ivysaur as tacticians, as their battle planning is highly developed. In fact, they are regularly recruited by security firms and police forces.
Ivysaur have a high drive and almost dogged persistence. If you ask it to do something, it will do whatever it takes to get it done, or die trying. This can often get it into a spot of bother, but their hardiness pulls them through 9 times of out 10. This determination makes Ivysaur very reliable.
The flower on an Ivysaur’s back is now developed enough to contribute towards powder and seed growth, meaning these can be much more potent. While it takes some time to master, these attacks can be powerful tools in battle. They can also have uses outside of battle. For example, there was an interesting case a few years ago where a game preserve had some trouble with its fencing and a herd of elephants slipped through the net and were headed straight for a village. Relations between the village and reservation had been iffy at best, so the reservation rangers were very keen to get the elephants swiftly rounded up before they troubled the villagers. I knew an Ivysaur breeder nearby, who gladly helped. Her team of around 5 Ivysaur used their sleep powder to send the elephants into a doze. From there, they could be safely sedated properly without the herd getting startled and running.
Weaknesses
Ivysaur often finds itself torn between wanting to please its trainer and wanting to push boundaries, which can lead to some miscommunication and disagreement in battle. For example, I was once battling a Pidgeotto with an Ivysaur in my care, who was ever so eager to try out its powder moves as it had overheard my discussions with its trainer around powder potency. I’d told Ivysaur that, for this battle, we were going to re-practice vine work, but he wasn’t having any of it. He puffed out his chest, strutted out to the field—one eye on its trainer—and out came the sleep powder, which flurried its way over to Pidgeotto…. but, boy, did Ivysaur’s rising pride get an abrupt shock as the Pidgeotto swiftly used Gust and blew those spores back at us! Luckily, Pidgeotto’s aim was a touch off and the majority missed us, but it did float over to my recreation garden and put an unsuspecting Weedle and Mankey to sleep. They missed out on the vegetable growing contest that year because of that, bless them.
Ivysaur’s high determination can give it a kind of tunnel vision, where it neglects or disregards anything that doesn’t contribute towards the goal at hand. In battle, this means it might forget to maintain defence when attacking, it may act too hastily in unexpected terrains, and it has a tendency to fight down to its very last remaining strength—making it difficult to judge at what point to swap them out. There can be ramifications in non-battle life, too. Ivysaur might be so determined to train, for example, that it forgets to eat and rest. In fact, this Pokémon finds it very difficult to rest at all—tricky when it needs a certain amount of sun basking each day.
Opportunities
I would like to see more trainers putting trust in this Pokémon’s abilities. Especially in the low-to-mid battling ranges, Ivysaur should be up front and center—as opposed to being used as support, which I often see. With its powders and seeds focused on stat attacks, I can certainly see why Ivysaur isn’t seen as the hard hitter it is, but its Seed Bomb and Take Down attacks aren’t something to treat lightly (not to mention its well-practiced Vine Whip).
Ivysaur gives us more in flexibility, compared to Bulbasaur, and many miss this opportunity. They tend to keep Ivysaur in one place—using a similar battle plan to Bulbasaur. While I can see the argument that keeping Ivysaur stationary is good preparation training for its Venusaur stage, keeping prone isn’t using Ivysaur to its best ability for this stage of its evolution cycle. This ‘mon has energy! Let him use it. I want to see running, leaping… hell, even swinging on its vines is possible. Your opponents sure won’t be expecting that.
Threats
Ivysaur can be a bit of a forgotten stage in the Bulbasaur-Ivysaur-Venusaur line and, as a result, trainers don’t plan effectively for it. When someone gets a Bulbasaur, they have big visions of either the cute, little companion, or the hulking great power. They don’t want the awkward teenager. This, unfortunately, leads to rushed or enforced evolution—which is bad for many reasons: unseasoned, unruly Venusaur being only one—and also huge Ivysaur abandonment when trainers come to realise that not all Ivysaur can evolve. In the wild, there is a special ceremony where a Venusaur is chosen. Not too much is known about it (much more research is needed), but the legends go that only one Venusaur is selected every 100 years, and this Venusaur’s duty is to protect the forest. The selected Ivysaur has to have the right temperament and have made a big impact on its community. Its a position of honour and respect just as much as it is training and time.
The potential for malnutrition is a huge threat for Ivysaur. These Pokémon are eager to be active, they don’t want to sit and bask in the sun. Some don’t even want to sit down long enough to eat a good meal. It is imperative for an Ivysaur trainer to be strict and strong willed. Not only must you enforce sun time, but you should firmly teach Ivysaur how to safely slough off energy while also maintaining self-care. Either that, or you will be run ragged trying to tear after him with nutrition supplements. Try to make healthcare a position of pride or a puzzle to solve: How do we make sure your leaves keep green and strong? How do we maintain petal health? However, don’t overdo it, either. I have seen one or two cases where Ivysaur have needed to be treated for self esteem. Keep health in mind at all times.
Breeders
Start Ivysaur preparation during the Bulbasaur years, where possible. Flower and leaf care, activity planning, and time management can all be taught at the Bulbasaur stage. Get Bulbasaur involved in helping other Ivysaurs, if possible, as this will be great for team bonding and emulate a wild Bulbasaur-Ivysaur-Venusaur society.
Get Ivysaur involved in as much sport as you can. Solo sports, team sports and training will all go a long way in building Ivysaur’s strength and stamina.
Do some Ivysaur awareness campaigns: taking them to events, sharing leaflets, taking part in charities, and touring schools are some ideas. We must play our part in demystifying Ivysaur and sharing what we know of its folklore.
Combatants
Facing an Ivysaur can be quite daunting as it will just keep coming at you! If you’re in a multi battle, distraction techniques work very well (getting one Pokémon with high speed or high defence to draw Ivysaur’s attention, then using a second Pokémon to deal the damage), because Ivysaur can be so focused, he often falls for misdirection.
Those powders can be very debilitating—especially with older Ivysaur that have had more time to practice. Avoid them at all costs. Some possibilities are to go underground at the time of attack, use flying Pokémon that understand wind direction, or use moves that can re-direct the spores. The more creative you can be the better, as a good trainer will try to expect your reaction and respond.
A busy Ivysaur is not a thinking Ivysaur, so it is best to keep the attacks coming. Their resilience isn’t too strong, so some consistent, well-paced attacks shouldn’t take too long to chip away at their defences.
Trainers
Use the lack of understanding to your advantage. People tend to think of Ivysaur as slow and lumbering, like Venusaur, so train for speed and agility to surprise them.
Ensure you have a deep understanding of Bulbasaur-Ivysaur-Venusaur relations, history and physiology before undertaking Ivysaur care. Especially when it comes to mythology and evolution lines. If you’re wanting to evolve Ivysaur into a Venusaur, do your genetics research and ensure you get Ivysaur involved in community and charity work alongside training.
Ivysaur is happiest in a cool forest environment, and is thus not too comfortable in extreme environments. This aversion to fire and ice can become obsessive and turn to fear if not kept in check.
They move through the forest with as much grace as a Goldeen moves through water. Image credit: Takamizawa Usui
Ivysaur are known as the teenage Bulbasaur, which is a pretty adequate comparison. This Pokémon thinks, sorry knows, he is the best at everything. And I mean everything. They are typically stubborn and outright gutsy, which can get them into a lot of trouble. They do tend to calm down a little as they get higher leveled. In fact, I’ve heard many stories that describe Ivysaur looking after the young of other Pokémon. I guess that’s a good skill to have if they want a chance at becoming King of the Forest.
Where to find one
Ivysaur typically live alone or in small family groups with Bulbasaur. They are extremely territorial and spend most of the day roaming their land looking for threats. They’re the easiest of the Bulbasaur evolution line to find in the wild, but its no stroll in the park! Their territories tend to be at the heart of dense forests, a landscape they know intricately. They know all the holes you might trip over, the pointy branches you might be spiked by and the vines you will get tangled in. Despite their bulky build, they move through the forest with as much grace as a Goldeen moves through water and a high-leveled one will have learned to use the environment to their advantage. They are also extremely hardy and it will take a strong, well-trained Pokémon to take them on.
If you can’t tell by the above, catching an Ivysaur in the wild is best left to the intermediate or advanced trainer. Beginners, or the less adventurous of you, will find much more pleasure in raising a Bulbasaur to become an Ivysaur. The evolution level is quite low at 16. This is very achievable with a little training. If you’d rather just skip to the Ivysaur stage, you can get an Ivysaur from breeders, but I’d very much advise not missing out on those early years.
Preparing the home
If you’re raising a Bulbasaur to become an Ivysaur, you will have fewer teething problems when it comes to introducing him to the home. By the time he is level 16, Bulbasaur should be used to you and your routines. However, you may find that he begins to push the boundaries as an Ivysaur. Suddenly, that cupboard where you keep the Pokémon food that your Bulbasaur would never touch is raided by your Ivysaur. He starts fights with others, whereas he used to always get along with the pet Skitty so well. These are all to be expected due to Ivysaur’s territorial urges and should be easy to train out. If you catch him from the wild, he will take a lot longer to adjust.
One other change you will notice is Ivysaur’s activity levels. Bulbasaur will happily lounge for hours on end, but Ivysaur just can’t sit still. It is important that you help Ivysaur expend some of that extra energy. Training for battle is the best way: agility courses, target practice, the whole lot. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend getting a young Ivysasur if you’re just wanting a companion Pokémon. They need to be constantly on the move and will quickly get too zealous in play. If you just have to have a companion Ivysaur, I’d suggest asking at the Pokémon retirement centre. Older Ivysaur are a lot calmer and only need to be exercised a couple times a day.
Similar to Bulbasaur, Ivysaur needs a lot of sun-time. In fact, it needs much more. That fabulous flower on its back needs a lot of sustenance and its high energy levels demand fuel. Make sure Ivysaur has a dedicated area in the garden to sunbathe undisturbed. He won’t want to, mind. You’ll have to be strict with him to make him stay put long enough to recharge fully.
Raising for battle
Ivysaur loves to keep active, which is perfect for training. Image credit: Marta Maszkiewicz
Ivysaur only has the capacity to learn one new move (Razor Leaf), if evolved from a Bulbasaur at 16 and to a Venusaur at 32. However, Bulbasaur can learn Razorleaf at level 19, so it might be a good idea to delay evolution and teach Bulbasaur this move instead. Otherwise, you’re going to have to wait until Ivysaur is level 31, a big disadvantage. Be careful if catching an Ivysaur in the wild, as he will not be able to learn any of the Bulbasaur-stage moves he didn’t pick up naturally. That means you might be missing out on key strategic elements such as Sleep Powder and Poison Powder, which do not naturally develop to the right strengths needed for using these as moves in battle. If he already knows these moves, you can train them to be more potent.
Ivysaur loves to keep active, which is perfect for training. He is also dexterous and intelligent, two traits that are ideal for developing new strategies. I always found that the best battle ideas came from my Ivysaur, especially when it comes to working the field. You should let Ivysaur have a certain level of independence during a battle and place great trust in his natural instincts. This is not the Pokémon for control freaks, as he will know better than you practically every time.
One area he might be lacking is knowledge of other Pokémon and type advantages. This is where you come in! Teach him all you know about the different Pokémon you spot and discuss with him any strengths and weaknesses. You could hire Ivysaur to coach your other Pokémon, which will help him develop that understanding. He will also enjoy the sense of responsibility.
Keeping Ivysaur happy and healthy
If your Ivysaur does not get enough natural sunlight, he will become weak quickly. This is one Pokémon that is not happy when unwell. They despise it. It is thought by Pokémon behaviourists that wild Ivysaur have a hierarchy with the toughest earning more territory. Therefore, it is vital for your Ivysaur’s physical and mental health that he gets enough nutrients, vitamins and sunlight.
A heat lamp may have been handy for Bulbasaur, but it will be of little use with Ivysaur: there is no chance you’ll get him to sit for long enough under it to have any effect. If you live in a rainy or cloudy area, you might need to seek specialist help. I know a few good sunlight gyms that are designed as a training ground photosynthsising Pokémon. They have these massive sunlight -emulating ceiling fixtures and are designed to trap moisture like a giant greenhouse. Make sure you take plenty of water for yourself, though.
Ivysaur will need help maintaining its flower. He doesn’t have any nerve endings in his leaves (a little like our nails) so you can use regular garden cutters to stop it looking too raggedy. You should include a regular supply of fertiliser in its food, which will give it plenty of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Be prepared for the flower to give off a strong smell. Be careful when visiting forest areas, as Combee, Beedrill and other pollinator Pokémon might end up swamping you.
Overall
Ivysaur is a great battle partner. He is dependable, dedicated and quick-minded. He does need a lot of training and maintenance, but he gives out ten-fold. He will also be acceptable as a working Pokémon, especially as a park ranger or guard. However, I would not recommend keeping an Ivysaur as a companion Pokémon unless you can provide a lot of physical and mental stimulation, or are willing to get a more mature one.
He will be acceptable as a working Pokémon, especially as a park ranger or guard. Image credit: Olivia Bigelow
For a Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venusaur Sonnet, click here (partner website).
The oldest cactus lived to around 300 years old . Image credit: Laura Thomson
Article by Laura Thomson
Bulbasaur loves to look after plants and he asked me to share some advice with you! Cacti are strong house plants and have grown in popularity over the last few years. Cacti varieties are endless and they don’t need a lot of watering. Remember, their natural habitat is the desert! To make your plants as happy and healthy as possible, Bulbasaur advises that it’s essential to try and replicate these native conditions, even if you don’t happen to live in the sizzling and dry temperatures of Arizona.
Here are Bulbasaur’s top (simple) tips for keeping your cacti rooted to the ground:
Lots of light = lots of little (or big) spikes
Deserts aren’t short of sunlight, so it’s fair to say cactus plants will always benefit from plentiful light sources. Placing cacti and succulents in a spot where sunlight is inevitable is a good start. However, make sure to avoid direct sunlight (depending on the variety) to avoid yellowing.
Cactus plants are quite flexible when it comes to temperatures and have a robust capacity to live in the rapidly changing desert environment. The lowest temperature that cacti can endure does depend on the species. Some have been known to survive freezing temperatures, but many are best kept around 8°C during the colder months.
Sufficient drainage = happy plants…
The ideal home for a cactus is a pot with good drainage. Always make sure the plant is able to let go of excess water by placing it in an open and free-draining pot to prevent water logging.
Speaking of water, one of the most important things to remember is the amount of water needed to keep cactus plants alive. Cacti are well-known for their stubborn nature – they won’t be happy with too much water and they won’t be happy with too little either. Admittedly, they thrive with much less water than the average house plant, but this is not to say that you should leave them dry for excessive amounts of time. Under-watering does cause shrivelling, and trust me, this is not a good look.
They also tend to develop blisters and adopt a more stubborn personality if too much water is given – this is definitely not a good look. So, make sure to follow these quick and simple instructions if you’d like your plant to (probably) outlive you:
During the spring and summer months, it is safe to quench your plant’s thirst, but only when the compost is dry. Over-watering will stunt growth, so once a week is a handy guideline, but it’s definitely possible to go even longer without watering at this time.
In winter, he will be perfectly happy waiting longer between watering sessions and some cacti can even be left dry from around November to February. This does depend on the species of cacti though!
Fun fact – The oldest cactus lived to around 300 years old, was 40ft tall and had 52 arms… now that is something to aim for.
Acacia trees hire aggressive ant species to guard their leaves from grazers. Image Credit: Marta Maszkiewicz
Bulbasaur mainly uses his vines and powders to attack and defend against enemies. He isn’t alone! Plants have some pretty mean defences to stop them from being eaten by animals and prevent competition from other plant species. Plant and plant products have even been used in wars and assassinations. This list looks at some of the deadliest plant defence mechanisms.
Thorns and spines
Thorns and spines are a simple physical form of defence that discourage animals from eating the plant by causing pain. Thorns jut out from branches, while spines are modified leaves that are extension of the plant’s vein. A similar spiky defence is the prickle, which are commonly found on roses. That’s right, the Poison song should really say “Every rose has a prickle”.
Trichomes
Trichomes is a fancy word for the little hairs you sometimes see on plant stems. They can have multiple purposes, but the most painful and deadly are found in nettles. You may be thinking I have been stung by a nettle before and I am still alive, but that is because you were lucky enough to be stung by the Common Nettle. Some tropical nettles, such as the gympie-gympie, have stings so painful that they can drive people insane. It has been known to kill dogs and horses out of pain and shock, and its stinging effects can last for as long as one year. Even breathing in some of these trichomes that are floating in the air can cause nosebleeds.
Mutualism
Some plants team up with other creatures in a mutual agreement of sorts. Mutualism is seen throughout the natural world for both defence and other reasons. For example, we have a mutualistic relationship with the bacteria in our guts: they help us digest food and we give them a nice place to live. Mutualism can be painful, however. Some plants such as acacia trees have ‘hired’ aggressive ant species to guard their leaves from grazers and other competing plants in exchange for a home. The ants are also thought to help keep harmful pathogens at bay. One of these mercenaries, the Bullhorn Acacia ant, is listed on ants.com’s list of ‘5 Ants with the Most Painful Bites’. Ouch!
Bother one tree, you’ve bothered them all
When insects invade a tree, the tree ups its defences to try and ward them off. If that wasn’t bad enough, research has suggested that trees can also send messages to neighbouring trees using something called the mycorrhizal network. These connections are made by fungi and are used by plants to share water, nutrients and minerals. When one tree is suffering too much damage from an insect swarm, it is thought to warn other trees around it, triggering them to also up their defences. Lab studies found reactions occurred in as little as six hours.
Tannins
Insects can have a hard time when it comes to finding a meal. Their huge population sizes can cause real stress on a plant, so plants take great priority in warding the critters off. One method is to produce tannins, a yellowy-brown, bitter-tasting substance that binds to the insect’s proteins and limits their ability to grow and develop. These tannins also form bonds between metal ions in the insects’ midgut, causing their intestines to tear.
Poisonous seeds
We all know the story of Snow White eating the poisonous apple. If Snow White were an insect, that fate would be all the more likely. Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, which are harmless when the seed is whole. However, when it is crushed or chewed, this chemical transforms into cyanide. Luckily, an 180-pound individual would have to eat at least 243 crushed apple seeds before seeing an effect, but some animals could be at risk. Low levels of cyanide poisoning causes headaches, nausea, weakness and confusion, while acute poisoning can be deadly.
Digitalin
Digitalin is a powerful steroid that is found in around 20 plant species, including the Foxglove plant. Too much of this chemical can lead to dangerous cardiac rhythm disturbances due to a build up of potassium in the blood. This can cause fatal symptoms due to the heart moving too slow (electrical heart block) or too fast (ventricular fibrillation). In 2016, a girl spent six days in hospital for eating a single leaf. They also have a bitter taste and can cause vomiting. That doesn’t mean the chemical can’t be used for good. Foxglove leaves were dispensed in WWI in measured doses to control heart conditions. More than 16 tonnes were used each year.
Idioblasts
Idioblasts are plant cells that, in their more innocent uses, store pigments, vitamins and minerals. They are more dangerous when used for defence. Dieffenbachia, also known as Dumb Cane, stores specialised chemicals in its idioblasts that shoot barbed calcium oxalate crystals into the unsuspecting herbivores’ mouth before giving a dose of enzymes that can cause paralysis and loss of speech. This painful concoction can be deadly, with only 15mg per kg needed to kill a mouse. Even if you avoid a deadly dose, the burning effects can last up to two weeks.
Heatwave – The chilli pepper
As you may know from putting too many in your curry, the chilli pepper can cause a painful burning sensation when eaten due to capsaicinoids. This is a defence mechanism to stop the growth of a microbial fungus, which likes to eat them. Being eaten isn’t all that bad for a chilli, if they’re being eaten by birds. In fact, birds eat the seeds and disperse them in their droppings, allowing the chillis to reproduce. The fungus, however, destroys the seeds. Therefore, the plant uses capsaicin to fend off the fungus, while birds are not affected.
What may the future bring? – Using plants in human wars
Last year, researchers at the University of Tennessee and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced a programme that aimed to genetically modify potato plants to act as a surveillance unit. The plants would identify chemical, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats to support human operations and ground troops.
This isn’t the only genetic editing programme being run by DARPA, with reports earlier this year of concerns that the organisation could use its ‘Insect Allies‘ programme for military purposes.
You love Pokémon? Well now you can dress like them too! This set of posts are designed to give you some inspirations so you can pull together some outfits based on your favourite Pokémon! The styles are all simple, so you can achieve the look no matter what your budget! These outfits were drawn by Matty M.
For Bulbasaur, we’ve gone for an effortless white long-sleeved shirt. This one features a button-down front and two front pockets, but this flexible style can be adjusted to suit your tastes. The shirt is paired with a teal coat/jacket and a high-waist green midi skirt. Match with a pair of light grey or white ankle boots and you’re on to a winner!
I dipped my canteen into a little stone fountain that had been crafted to look like a tree stump. Image Credit: @fdjrt
I wandered through the central square, kicking despondently at any piles of leaves that had grown too high. It was a child’s game that still thrilled me. Looking back now, I wish I’d spent less time standing with groups of people I didn’t like and more time running around kicking up leaves.
If it wasn’t for the hustle and bustle of people, I’d have never expected that it was a town. The houses were made from tree bark and leaves, which were woven together to make chequered huts. All of the roads and buildings were decorated with vines. They blended almost seamlessly with the forest.
I dipped my canteen into a little stone fountain that had been crafted to look like a tree stump. The water bit at my fingers. I gave a half-smile to a man to my left who was bent over a smoking pile of bricks. His wife was wafting the smoke away from the entrance of her hut with a giant leaf. The only giveaway to this curious escapade was the earthy smell of bread baking.
I remember it making me feel off kilter at the time, but not understanding why. Just this creeping feeling of difference. They verses me. Pallet is no city, but we had embraced the thirst for technology. Of course, computers were a new thing back then, but we still came installed with a sense of excitement to embrace what was to come. Watching the man stooped and sooty over the bricks put up a barrier between us that I was just not equipped to see.
“Excuse me”, I said, “Could you point the way to the major’s office?”
The woman turned, shielding her eyes from the mid-day sun. She looked around for a second, as if she were the one asking for directions and not me, before flicking her wafting leaf in the direction of a market. “He’ll be somewhere that way, I reckon”.
Between us and the market, a sort of playschool had been set up where kids ran around barefoot under the watchful eye of someone’s Skuntank. I must have looked a tad concerned, as the lady with the fan leaf chuckled and said, “Don’t worry, lass, he won’t stink you unless you’re out here for trouble.” I gave her a sheepish grin.
I wandered through the houses, enjoying the dappling sunlight and watching people working together with their Pokémon on various tasks. At the farmers market, people haggled over Mudbray and Mareep. Nearby, a man had set up blanket on a rock to sell scratched jewellery, while a woman was having a hearty discussion with her customer about the best ways to use Flaaffy wool. Next to her sat a very bare-looking Flaaffy.
I looked out for anyone mayor-like. I imagined a tall, elderly gentleman with a large gold chain settled on his shoulders. He would laugh in a jolly way, a little like Santa Claus. There was no one like that here. I tried to think back to if Professor Oak had given me a description. If he did, I couldn’t remember.
Near the market, a man was scrutinising some sacks of corn with his Bulbasaur, taking down notes on a piece of bark. The Bulbasaur was especially chatty, using his vines to point and prod at the goods. Professor Oak was always going on and on about how smart Bulbasaur are. I was practically sick to death of it. I’d chosen a Charmander as my starter. I’d been training it for a few years now and it was about as strong as a Charmander could get. No way I could lose to a puny Bulbasaur.
“Uh-uh young lady!”, I heard the professor say in my head. I could almost see him stood, arms crossed. “You will not fight that Bulbasaur”, he said, “you have important work to do”. I looked at the letter in my hand and shrugged. It could wait. This battle would take no time at all.
I strode towards the man and made my best battle pose, “Hey, you”.
The man looked at me, startled, “I, uh.. me?”
“I’d like to challenge you to a-” before I could finish, I heard a shrill craacck and felt a searing pain on my hand that made me drop my Pokéball sadly to the ground. It opened and out popped Charmander looking a bit perplexed. The skin instantly began to welt and throb an angry red. “What the-“
“I’m sorry but we don’t battle in this town”, the man said. Still in shock, I could only stand blankly and watch as the Bulbasaur used his vines to pluck a roll of bandages out of the man’s pocket, efficiently wrapped my hand in the cooling bandage, gave me a curt nod and turned back to his companion. Bubba, he said.
I snapped out of my daze with intense fury. “Your Pokémon just attacked me! How dare you? He can’t do that, I ought to-“
“My Bulbasaur?”, the man grinned. A small crowd had gathered now and they all grinned at each other, all in on some sort of joke. That made me insanely angry. I felt like challenging them all to battle. In my head, professor Oak put his head in his hand. Their laughter magnified ten-fold and cut me deep. A cold surge burned within me that built and built until I could take it no longer. I gave a deep guttural scream. “CHARMANDER, EMBER, NOW!”
My loyal Charmander took my word as law and launched his attack. The flame came thick and fast, the muscles in Charmander’s belly tensed as he gave it all he had. That Bulbasaur should have been toast. Except, the flames were getting beaten back. Without any word from its trainer, Bulbasaur began flinging sharp-edged leaves at the flames in just the right angle to deflect the heat. The speed was incredible. Charmander tried to push harder, but he just wasn’t quick enough.
As the flames began to dial down, this gave Bulbasaur his chance. He jumped high over the fire, pushed hard with his back legs from a fence post and smacked down into my Charmander’s forehead. At the same time, he slapped his mouth shut with a vine, snatched the Pokéball from my hand and pressed the button to force him to return. Charmander faded into the ball, leaving one Bulbasaur and a circle of horrified townsfolk.
I couldn’t believe the skill with which Bulbasaur had battled. And without a word from his trainer. I turned to him, all anger put on hold. “Woah, your Bulbasaur is amazing”.
The man crossed his arms, reminding me again of Professor Oak. “Like I tried to tell you, kid. That’s not my Bulbasaur.”
He walked forward and put a hand respectfully on Bulbasaur’s shoulder, “You ok, sir?”
Bubasaur nodded.
He looked back up at me, “What are you doing here in Mizuna town? I think you should do what you need to do and leave.”
His tone set of a confusing array of sparks. Part of me felt shame, part of me fear, and a piece of me still burned with anger. The crowd had started to dissipate. Some tutted teenagers as they walked away. I gave them a side glare. I remembered the letter and grabbed it from my bag.
“Professor Oak sent me with this letter.” The man took it and contemplated it. “Its for the mayor”, I added.
“Well, it has found the right place”, he said. With a second’s pause, the man moved the letter down and passed it to Bulbasaur, who took it gently in a vine, opened it with the sharp edge and began to read.
At first, I thought it was a joke. But there was something about this Bulbasaur’s seriousness and the way everyone looked at him that made me think that this insanity might actually be true. A Bulbasaur running a town?
I looked back at the town, its leaves blowing gently in the breeze. Next to the treeline sat allotments where smiling families planted vegetables, nearby an old woman smiled happily at her grandchildren who were helping thread vines around their house. Everyone seemed so happy and the town ran like clockwork. And this was all ran by a Bulbasaur? I looked down at my Charmander and thought about all of the training we had been through. Despite his low level, he’d been able to beat all of the trainers I’d met just by strength alone. But seeing all this made me wonder if perhaps there was more to Pokémon than just strength.
Bulbasaur gave a short Bubba and handed the note back to his aide. “Bulbasaur says he thinks this letter might actually be for you.”
I took it from him and read.
Dear Elizabeth,
This may be a hard lesson for you, but I hope you heed it well. See all of the wonders that Pokémon can achieve and learn to use that in your own journey.
-The Professor
I looked at Bulbasaur and his aide, “I’m sorry. I have a lot to think about”. I turned around and began the walk back to Pallet Town.
A Breeder's Guide to Pokémon 