Re: Aldrovanda and Drosera Cistiflora questions
Michael Hasemann (jmh@tko.vtt.fi)
Fri, 4 Aug 1995 10:20:10 +0300 (EET DST)
>
> Hi, I was wondering if a few of you out there that are growing Aldrovanda
> could describe your set up. I had mine growing in a cylindrical white
> 2.5 gallon trash can in the sun. I had boiled 1.5 cups of granulated
> moss peat and added it to the water 2 weeks prior to adding the
> aldrovanda. The plant grew rapidly, but a film of algae began to
> grow ontop of the water. Worse yet algae began to grow on the Aldrovanda,
> enveloping the older half of the plant. In desperation, I purchased
> floating fern and placed it ontop of the water. This took care of the
> film of algae on the surface of the water, but there is still algae,
> though not as much, growing on the Aldrovanda. The plant is no longer
> growing anywhere near as fast as before. I keep the floating fern
> thinned around the area of the plant to ensure it gets some light.
> Does anybody have some suggestions? The plant is surviving, not thriving.
>
I think I am quite lucky with Aldrovanda (though I believe it's a small
form I have). My setup is quite simple. It's a small aquarium (glued to-
gether with Silicone from a junk yard glass panes). The size is about
50 cm * 18 cm * 15 cm (high). I used peat water (not boiled) and add
every now and then tap water to compensate for evaporated water. On
the long side of the aquarium I attached a small rectangular glass
pane (50cm * 3 cm) about reaching 1 cm into the water. On top of this
kind of sill I have put some sphagnum as natural filter. Additionally,
I placed a small aquarium air pump to aerate the water and "pump"
water onto the sill. Thus the water is both aerated in filtrated.
The sphagnum is doing well. Oh yes, the Aldrovanda I have are about
15 - 20 cm in length and are branching (and breaking). It seems to
be their natural way of propagation that shots easily break off.
The quirls are about 1-2cm in diameter. I suggest it's a small form.
Nevertheless, this plant grows very easily and lives on snails. Most
animals it catches are small snails!
Hope this helps,
Michael
>
> I also have a Drosera Cistiflora. Does anybody know the "proper"
> way to take care of this plant? It has not grown during the month since I
> got it and is beginning to decline. Does it need a dormancy period
> in the summer? Should it be dry right now? Perhaps, just slightly damp.
> What about the rest of the year?
>
> Thanks a lot,
> --Zachary--
>
--
Michael Hasemann | Technical Research Centre of Finland - Automation
| Kaitovayla 1, P.O. Box 13023, 90571 Oulu, Finland
jmh@tko.vtt.fi | Fax: +358 81 5512320 Tel: +358 81 5512239