Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 10:43:02 -0400 (EDT) From: Perry Malouf <pmalouf@access.digex.net> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2964$foo@default> Subject: Re: Nepenthes humidity
Hi Beth,
> ...in regards to Perry's suggestion of keeping the plant in
> a large container with water around it. I'm not exactly sure what
> that means....
Let me explain what I meant. The plant may be kept in a large,
clear container such as a fish tank, plexiglass enclosure, or
even a clear plastic trashbag (the kind that's used to bag leaves
in Autumn). You can even make a tent out of clear plastic.
One thing to watch out for when using clear plastic (or glass)
is that direct sunshine can heat up the interior volume and roast
the plant. The potential for this is highest if the container is
almost completely sealed. And, to maintain high humidity inside
the container (when the outside ambient humidty is too low) you want
the container mostly sealed. Just be careful that it doesn't get
full and direct sunlight for very long.
To supply humidity, keep a bowl of water, or a damp towel, somewhere
in the container. Try to not let water pool around the bottom of
the Nepenthes pot, or put the pot on top of an inverted saucer to
keep it out of any water that puddles on the floor of the container.
If you have only one Nepenthes, then you can try this novel approach.
Keep it in a translucent white plastic bag, sealed at the top, and
hang it in a window that gets lots of light. The translucent (not
clear!) plastic will let in enough light to keep the plant happy
without increasing the inside temperature too much. (This assumes
that the arrangement is inside the house, exposed to room temperature).
The bag will also lock in the humidity. It won't be so pretty to
look at under this arrangement. But it's clean and fairly trouble-free.
When you want to show off the plant, take it out of the bag for a while.
Regards,
Perry Malouf
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