> I have two questions for anyone out there with CPs in terrariums.
...
> 2) How often do I need to change soil, if at all? The terrarium is filled
> 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.)
> 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
> peat/water mix at the bottom will begin to decay or something. I've also
> been told the dead shagnum will start to regenerate with time. How long
> before I shouls see new, live sphagnum growth?
I've raised CP's both in terrariums both in soil and in pots. I found
advantages and disadvantages to both.
If you are laying the soil down in the terarrium, you should put a 1-2
inch layer of coarse activated charcoal (depending on the size of the
terrarium) down first before you put in the soil. This helps keep down
some of the decay. The biggest problem I've had is the inevitable growth
of moss (not sphagnum) and ferns in a terrarium. The moss can eventually
get so thick that smaller Droseras can hardly grow though it. I usually
pull the ferns as they grow otherwise they will quickly take over the
terrarium.
-- Steve
-=>*<=-
"If you are going to kill me, then do so. Otherwise I have considerable
work to do." -- Lennier, B5