Re: Terrarium ventilation

dave evans (T442119@RUTADMIN.RUTGERS.EDU)
Fri, 17 Mar 95 03:25 EST

> I have two questions for anyone out there with CPs in terrariums.
> 1) How much ventilation should I provide? Obviously, I want to keep the
> humidity as high as possible, but with the light source (four 4'
> fluorescents) close to the top and summer just around the corner, I don't
> want to cook the poor things. What's a happy medium? (in terms of low
> humidity loss vs. adequate air exchange.)

It all depends on the on plants your are growing. You mention
Darlingtonia later on ==> this plant and Cephalotus can make easy
prey for fungus if the temp is to high and the light to low. Place
an aquarium thermometer in your terrarium; mine does fine between
75 and 80 degrees F.

> 2) How often do I need to change soil, if at all? The terrarium is filled

Between every 9 months to two years. I don't quite understand why
some compost (soil, peat) will last longer than others. It probably
has to do with water quality, temp., whether it was exposed to
fertilizer or not.

> with a peat base, sloping from just a couple of inches at the low end (for
> the pitchers) up to about 6-7 inches at the high end (Pinguiculas, etc.)

Pinguicula generally like (sometimes alot) less light than
Sarrs. I have seen other people grow them near the rhizomes
of Sarr.

> Atop this is 1-1/2 to 2 inches dead sphagnum. I've been keeping the water
> level to the bottom of the low-end sphagnum, for the sake of the
> Darlingtonias I have there. I'm concerned that eventually the sodden
> "mix will decay. I have"
> been told the dead shagnum will start to regenerate with time. How long
> before I shouls see new, live sphagnum growth?

If you bought it dried don't hold your breath, you'll pass out
or something. If the moss was completely dried then it is dead.

> *************************************************************
> * ...the creature raised a silencing hand."There are *
> * conditions of the nerve endings," it said, "the like *
> * of which your imagination, however fevered, could not *
> * hope to evoke...Your most treasured depravity is *
> * child's play beside the experiences we offer." *
> *************************************************************
> * http://www.primenet.com/~maldror/ *
> *************************************************************

I know that line. Clive Barker's "Hellraiser" comic book.
Man, "Jihad" was great!

Dave Evans