Date: Wed, 12 Mar 1997 16:11:55 -0500 (EST) From: CMcdon0923@aol.com To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg898$foo@default> Subject: New Member Intro.
I read that it is customary for new members to introduce themselves and give
a short background sketch, so....here goes. (Please excuse any errors in the
spelling of plant names, I don't happen to have any references handy as I
write this, and I never studied Latin.)
My name is Craig McDonald, and I live in eastern Pennsylvania, just outside
of Allentown. However, I will only be there for a few more weeks, after which
my wife and I will be relocating to the Dallas Texas area. I am 38 years old,
and work in the field of data processing (Operations, mainly).
I have been interested in CP since I was a child, when I had the obligatory
VFTs. I now know that I helped speed along their demises by feeding them
hamburger, and 'teasing' them. To all those departed plants and their
descendents, all I can say is "I'm sorry."
I didn't plan to begin growing CP again until after the move was completed,
but about six weeks ago I was at the local 'Home Depot' home center and saw
the familiar plastic-cup-topped containers in their garden section. I
expected to find the standard VFTs, but to my surprise, there also were two
species of Drosera, two different Pings, along with some Nepenthes (sp.
madagascarensis). I figured that at $2.99 each, "what the heck", and bought
a total of nine plants. The next day I went and bought a 10 gallon aquarium
and a double-tube flourescent fixture. The entire setup now resides in the
basement. Since that time, I found a 55 gallon aquarium on sale at a GREAT
price. After the move, I plan to expand into the 55 gallon steup, and to ad
some Sarracenia, Darlingtonia, Cephalotus, Drosophyllum, etc...... I just
hope the existing plants survive the move!
So far...everybody appears to doing well. I fed the VFTs a few bugs I found
crawling around the firewood pile. Both of the plants are comprised of
relatively young growth...about 2/3 of the traps are still forming. The
mature traps have a healthy crimson hue.
I think I "shocked" one of the Nepenthes by removing its plastic top the
night I bought it? The leaves shriveled, and those around the base turned
brown and died along with some tiny developing pitchers. However, since
getting it into the aquarium (actually, I guess it's now a terrarium) it
seems to be recovering and some new growth has sprouted from the center of
the plant. It might have been the change in humidity...the terrarium
maintains about 70% when the lights are on, and climbs to 90% or more
overnight when they're turned off.
The D. adelae is without question the healthiest of the lot. I actually saw
it trap several gnat/fruitfly-like insects. The D. rotundiflora was doing OK,
but recently ~25% of the leaves turned brown. However, new growth continues
to appear. (Note: Both of these species identifications are tentative, made
by comparison to photos.)
The P. primuliflora (almost 100% sure on this one) had two flower scapes when
I bought it. Last week, within two days of each other, they both bloomed.
(Very pretty purple flowers with a white base to the petals.) BUT, two days
later, almost overnight, the entire plant just shriveled up. Is this
"normal" after flowering? Fortunately (?), this allowed me to find two
smaller plants emerging from the medium under where some of the "parent's"
leaves had been. I plan to replant these new growths shortly. I'm not sure of
the other Ping's species, but it appears to be very healthy also.
Well, enough rambling for now. I have enjoyed the several issues I have
received so far, and look forward to expanding my involvement in the area of
CP.
Thanks,
Craig McDonald
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