Date: Wed, 4 Mar 1998 11:48:33 +0200 From: "Erik van Zuilekom" <9623426@rgo.sun.ac.za> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg828$foo@default> Subject: Brocchinia reducta
Hi All,
Erik from South Africa here,
Charles Brewer wrote:
> Charles here in Va. I have some concerns growing Brocchinia reducta
> and need some professional advice.
Very far off from professional, but I have had the plant for a few
years now and seems to be growing well, pretty strong. S heres my
2cents worth...
> My plants seem to grow fair in
>the spring and summer, but they seem to just hang on during
>winter. My greenhouse plant seems to suffer greatly during
>winter months even though the greenhouse stays well above
>freezing, but cool during the evening hours and very warm during
> day hours.
I so far have not grown either Nepenthes or Brocchinia in a
greenhouse, my plants are placed on cement and tube benches with
slasto underneath their entire length. 50% shade and a little morning
sun. The plants are sprayed once a day, they have a water collection
bath underneath the Nep's and Brocch. for humidity reasons. Here in
the Cape the temps range from Summer 18-40C and winter 15-30C with
rains concentrated in the winters. Humidity ranges from 40-60% year
through.
>This would includes:
>best soil to use, growing conditions, winter conditions,
>moisture needs and of course what not to do or anything else
>they have to offer.
I use fern fibre, vermiculite, scoria and bark chips in varying
amounts(mainly fern fibre), the plants tend to become more "tubular"
when experienceing more arid conditions and strong light. Their
colour obviously becomes lighter(more green/yellow...another chance,
I'm *colourblind*)
I have found that my plants tend to hate too peaty a mix and the
better the drainage(hence peat strictly left out!), the better my
plants have tended to grow. Humidity-wise the plants dont seem to
demand as high humidity as Nep's(but dont just take my word for it!).
My plants enjoy ample sunlight(morning sun and 50% shade during the
warmer periods). No fertilizing as yet has seemed necessary.
Though I do recomend a slightly higher humidity than my 40%.
All the best, I hope this helps or at least provokes a few laughs.
Erik
>>>**Erik van Zuilekom**<<<
117 Panorama Drive, Stellenryk 7530
Cape Town, South Africa.
E-mail:9623426@rgo.sun.ac.za
Phone: (027) 021 99-1807
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