Phototron
Christopher Creel (ctcreel@hpbs1265.boi.hp.com)
Fri, 15 Dec 95 11:54:57 MST
Howdy,
A Phototron is a growing chamber made by Pyraponic Industries.
It can be equiped with an automatic watering system and produces about
1800 to 1900 foot candles of light (alot of light). There is one
availble that produces about 3000+ foot candles of light (good for
highland Nepenthes). It is the only system I have found that helps me
be wildly successful with Nepenthes.
The cost is $399.00 for the 1800 fc version and 499 for the
3000+ version. I think the automatic watering system is an extra 30
bucks. The watering system is absolutely imperitive. It can hold
approximately 3 large plants (3 one gallon containers) and three small
plants.
It really makes taking care of Nepenthes easy. I just fill up
the resevoir with a Superthrive solution every week and feed the plants
once every month with crickets. It couldn't be any easier. The plants
absolutely love it. They grow like crazy and their coloration is
fantastic. And no, I don't own stock in the company :) I use the
system for my more exotic (expensive) plants to produce cuttings for
sale.
One warning, however. The company offers this "nutrient"
system. You put these nutrients in to the soil and they will analyze
it for you every so often and adjust the nutrient levels to maximize
the growth rate of the plants. These nutrients _kill_ Nepenthes.
Just don't use them. Don't use their growing medium either. It is
finely ground sphagnum moss. Nepenthes will take it, but they would
much rather have something with a bit more substance, not to mention
drainage (I have a good recipe for Nepenthes growing media if anyone
is interested).
If you are really interested in pursuing a Phototron, let me
know and I will give you their address (I have to bring it to work).
Chris