Non-pure water question

Sean Mallory (smallory@ouray.cudenver.edu)
Fri, 30 Jun 1995 10:33:41 -0600

I have been thinking about trying to grow a Darlingtonia and have some
questions about what kind of water it likes that i haven't seen asked
here: How alkaline of water can it get along with (the pH here stays
at 7.5 to 8.5), what temperature range can they handle (my systems top
temperatures tend to be about 75 F/ 25 C, lows about 50 F/ 10 C). This
system was originally set up for growing shallow emergents and to
provide humidity to better imitate cloud forest and temparate rain
forest conditions for bromeliads, ferns, mosses, orchids, cacti
(epiphytic) and coffee... It is a recirculating system with 3
goldfish, 4 minnows, and 50 to 60 gallons of water, split into a 5 to
7 cm deep 'stream' system, a 5 dm 'fast' pool, and a 3 to 4 dm slow
pool. I use three set of shop lights each with a cool white
flourescent and a wide-spectrum grow light (40W bulbs) for lighting.
The light and pump are both on for a 13 hour day, and off at night. To
prevent salt build up, i remove water from the system to water other
plants (thus fertalizing the others). The replacement water is tap
water let sit for 1 to 8 days to degas.

So can i grow Darlingtonia under these conditions? Are there Ultrics
that would appreciate these conditions? I also have an established
moss bed (only took a year and a half to grow!) that is above the
water level but constantly moist, are there CP's that would enjoy that
habit?

As to the origen of CP's, i like the theory that they are from Nemisis
the best. I fits with the observation that the most absurd
explanations of nature are usually not absurd enough.

Sean Mallory Studies - math, chem, biology, communications
smallory@ouray.cudenver.edu Hobbies - plants, music, cooking, study...