Greetings

hillson@iastate.edu
Fri, 09 Jul 93 15:57:43 CDT

Howdy,

I am a new subscriber to the list, I was sent the info on the list
by a member who was on the orchid list. I grow several carnivorous
plants as well as a large collection of orchids. I have worked with
CP in several ways including sterile seed gerimination and tissue
culture. I have had a lot of success with seed germination but not
much with tissue culture except with sundews and venus fly trap.

Comments on the discussion on relative humidity, The problem when
discussing relative humidity and our plant is that most of us do not
really understand the natural conditions the Carnivorous plants or
other tropicals we grow naturally exist in. In the 1800's they originally
thought they needed hot houses to grow the plants and they killed them with
excessive heat. Some people think they grow in steaming jungles so they
drench every thing with too much humidity.

Most tropical plants and CP need higher humidity than we humans feel
comfortable in. As a result we think they are happy when we are happy.

I find that CP and miniature orchids like a moderate humidity +60% RH with
constantly moving air. I get this in my growing area by using a modified
atomizer and aquarium pump to humidify the area and keep air movin all
the time. In the day the humidity drops to +40% while at night it can go up
to +90%. I also have two small muffin fans that came from radio shack
helping to move the air. I am constantly moving plants around as I find
there are microclimates in my growing area that have higher or lower
humidity. I try to find the area that stimulates the growth of a plant.
Once it is set I leave it alone unless I change the area and the
microclimates.

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* Tom Hillson * Ag Experiment Station *
* Computer Coordinator * 17 Curtiss Hall *
* hillson@iastate.edu * Iowa State University *
* (515)294-1543 * Ames, IA 50011 *
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* "You only get change when you put in your two cents" *
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