Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 08:04:24 +0000 From: Rand Nicholson <writserv@nbnet.nb.ca> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1678$foo@default> Subject: Re: Darlingtonia cultivation
Hi Mark & All:
>The pot is watered from above with rain or distilled water until the medium
>appears saturated. To date I've noticed vigorous growth on all my plants
>including my first ever flower stalks.
One can't argue with sucess.
>These plants stay in open shade
>during the entire day without any direct sunlight. Even when the air
>temperature gets above 80f (like today) the pot media stays below 60f.
There's the rub: Darlingtonia, naturally, are quite happy and most
colourful grown in full sunlight, which brings out the best colours in
their pitchers. Yet, they _need_ a cool root run, just in order to survive.
Not surprising, as they grow commonly along the banks of streams.
> I'm
>sure I'll eventually have to start applying chilled water when the heat of
>summer hits but I think I have finally stumbled upon a successful method, my
>past two seasons using clay pots, ice packs, partial sun, ice cubes,
>SUPERthrive, 10W40, tea leaves, dry ice, Foster's Lager, etc. etc...
>yielding only limited growth.
I don't recommend a fertilizer; I think the plants can fend for themselves
(chomp); but a 2 litre pop bottle of frozen water, when in full sun, laid
so that the ice melt goes directly on the roots, can take Darlingtonia
through 30 C. If it ever gets that high, a tray of ice cubes won't hurt
your other Sarrs, either.
I grow mine (in summer) on a deck in styrofoam beer coolers (The idea here
is to plant the things in a _large_ container, where the soil temps can be
easily moderated.) in full sun along with my Sarrs and sundews (it's not as
bad as it sounds: it's a _feature_)
Keeps the skeeters down.
Kind Regards,
Rand
(PS: Jay; note my zone. Drop me an e-mail if you think that I may be of help.)
Rand Nicholson
New Brunswick
Maritime Canada, Z 5b
<writserv@nbnet.nb.ca>
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