Date: Fri, 28 May 1999 09:10:25 -0700 (PDT) From: Chris Teichreb <cjteichr@sfu.ca> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1888$foo@default> Subject: RE: Venus flytraps in Mississippi
Hi everyone,
I agree with what Charles says. Not only do larger pots of cp's
allow for deeper root growth, and look impressive, but they also help
maintain a more constant soil moisture (important for those drought days,
or when you forget to water!), and do provide some local humidity
(for the plants in the middle anyways).
My 2 cents,
Chris
On Fri, 28 May 1999, Brewer Charles E PHDN wrote:
> I would like to add some suggestion to growing VFTs. Over the last 30 years
> of growing these plants, I have switched from the tray method to using large
> pots with excellent results. I use pots that don't have bottom holes in
> them. This allows me to the to drill one or two small drain holes in the
> bottom of the pot, allowing the water to seep out slowly and naturally. The
> soil stays fresher longer and provides just the right amount of moisture to
> last several days. One big advantage of using large pots, allows these
> plant to grow to their fullest potential without restrictions. A 10 to 12
> inch pot may sound like an over kill until you have tried it. Top dress your
> pot with sphagnum, small pine chips, chopped up pine needles or what ever,
> don't limited yourself to just one VFT per pot, add a few other sun loving
> CPs and you have a nice display that will last several years before having
> to change out the soil. Additionally, I use this method for Sarrs, Cephs,
> Pings, and Droseras. It works better then anything I have used accept an
> outdoor bog. I also use more sand then peat in my mix. Although 50/50 peat
> to sand works great, I prefer using a 60/40 ratio, sand to peat. This seems
> to hold just the right amount of moisture, still allowing the soil to drain
> naturally. Adding more peat to your mix may keep your soil wetter longer, I
> tend to like refreshing the water in the soil every other day during summer,
> or maybe it's an excuse to spend more time with these wonderful plants. Hope
> this helps.
> Charles Brewer
> Va. Beach, Va.
>
>
> > Toni,
> > I grow VFT's just fine here in St. Louis (which isn't quite as hot
> > and humid as Mississippi, but it's close!) I like a 50-50
> > mixture of peat moss and silica sand (white builder's sand). Use
> > rainwater or distilled water. During the hot weather, you'll need to
> > keep a large saucer of water under the plant, BUT don't let it always
> > sit in that water. Venus flytraps resent being constantly
> > waterlogged, and they will rot in our heat and humidity if kept
> > constantly in water. When it's not that hot (70's to 80's), I don't
> > use a tray; I just water them well daily. When it is hot (90's to
> > 100's), I use a water tray, and often the heat is enough that the
> > water will be gone by evening. That works out well; just refill in
> > the morning. If it doesn't evaporate on its own daily, you need to be
> > sure that it dries out at least once or twice a week. Just be sure
> > that the soil doesn't dry out too! You only want the tray to dry up.
> >
> > Susan Farrington
> > Missouri Botanical Garden
> > P.O. Box 299
> > St. Louis MO 63166-0299
> > susan.farrington@mobot.org
> > (314)577-9402
>
**********************************
Chris Teichreb
Department of Biological Sciences
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C.
cjteichr@sfu.ca
**********************************
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