Re: Cephalotus, Darlingtonia, ...

Robert Allen (Robert.Allen@Eng.Sun.COM)
Mon, 15 Mar 93 18:51:23 GMT

>>Hi Guys. I'm quite excited by my CP coming out of dormancy and am
>>considering expanding my collection. I'd like to grow Cephalotus
>>follicularis, and I've read the pertinent parts of Slack, Cheers,
>>etc... From what I've been able to determine, this species really
>>wouldn't get along with the conditions required by my other CP
>>(mostly sarrs). Does anyone have growing tips for this species
>>in a temperate climate (Baltimore/Washington)?
>>
>>Also, I'm considering repotting my Darlintonia in clay pots, as
>>the evaporation through the pots should help to keep the roots
>>cool. Has anyone else tried this?

I've tried growing darlintonia in clay pots a number of
times and have had only adequate "success". One problem
is that you may have salt buildup in the pot and so should
repot every season or two. Most people I've seen that have
had good success have used larger than average pots, which
probably help in temp control, and a couple have had success
with the peat pots which give lots of evaporative cooling.
I'm not convinced that there is so much value in the
evaporateive cooling as there is in minimizing the static
heat buildup in plastic pots. The greatest success I've
had was in a steamy, and warm, terrarium under lights, but
the pitchers were not strong enough to stand much movement.

My dream is to have enough space that I could plant D. in
a ball of moss and put it in one of those garden waterfalls...

r.