Re: nepenthes mistake -Reply
Charlotte Vandaveer (vandavee@chuma.cas.usf.edu)
Fri, 2 Dec 1994 21:47:53 -0500 (EST)
For what it is worth, copper compounds can damage almost any plant if 
dosages are high enough.  I know of plantings being destroyed by run-off 
from copper roofs.
I have been told that plants like epiphytes and bog plants are extremely 
sensitive to heavy metals simply because they have evolved in nutrient 
poor situations, ie almost no trace elements (metals).
For a bit of trivia:  Copper compounds were sprayed in vineyards because 
it stained the hands of the gosh-awful peasants who stole grapes to 
survive.  The local constabulary could then pick up and punish these 
subversives.  It happened to be noticed that 
the sprayed vines didn't get fungal diseases.  And please be careful, 
copper compounds can do nasty things to human physiology as well.
Happy trapping,
Chelsie