Date: Mon, 15 Jun 1998 05:52:21 -0400 From: Alastair Robinson <Alastair_R@compuserve.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2032$foo@default> Subject: Re:Sad Nep, again
Hey there,
The only time that I ever find yellow mottling on any of the leaves of my=
Nepenthes is during the period leading up to their eventual withering... =
even then, this can still take a while, so there's no great need to panic=
=
:)
What I would do in a 'plant rescue' situation is make a pot full of a ver=
y
open compost - if you have it, bark chips with only a *little* peat and
some perlite (to improve water retention). Bury as much of the base as y=
ou
can in this, then pressing the compost lightly, but firmly, around the
plant so that it is snug... water through from above quite thoroughly, an=
d
let this water drain away, leaving the compost moist, not wet.
Take a small, clear freezer bag, and secure this over the plant and pot r=
im
- if you don't have any, I've used clingfilm secured around pegs in the
soil - else you can use a terrarium <neater, but not necessarily so
effective>.
The point in doing this is to dramatically increase the humidity
immediately around the plant so that transpiration is reduced... this put=
s
less of a strain on the plant's existing roots, and if it is dying, gives=
it more time to have a chance at recovering before this occurs.
Stand it in a brightly lit place, preferably out of direct sun, and ideal=
ly
under fluoresent light units set up for horticulture, which will give it =
a
lot of light but present little risk of scorching. Temperature about 24
deg. Centigrade, but above 20 degrees <it is a lowlander isn't it??>. =
Thereafter, water it from a tray, leaving c.0.5cm H2O in it, when things
start looking dry inside - because the compost is intentionally so open, =
it
shouldn't soak the base of the plant at all, but maintain a high moisture=
content about the roots <Nepenthes have been grown aeroponically with
success - this is a play on that>.
Sniff. I think I have a cold :(
All the best,
Alastair.
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