cp for children's hospital

Oliver T Masse (massey@hal.fmhi.usf.edu)
Mon, 18 Oct 93 16:54:47 EDT

I saw Phil Mueller's question about cp in terrariums. Thats a nice idea
for the hospital. I have used ten gallon aquariums in a presentation at
local elementary schools, and have maintained a few the last several
years. My only suggestion would have to do with lightand heat buildup.
If possible, you might want to depend on florescent lighting instead of
indirect sunlight. I have had good luck with a variety of Pings,
Drosera, and reclining Sarracenia ,even using a small 32 watt
circle-lite.

As per bugs eating holes in pithers, I typically catch a few larger
beetles in my S. alata and S. flava. I have never seen any escape , but
they often end up nose down and manage to chew a quarter circle through
the pitcher wall. Looks like a smilely face.

Just curious, but has anyone noticed distinctly different patterns of
insect prey in their Nepenthes and Sarracenia? My N. ventricosa seems
adapt at catching what the locals call love bugs, while several N.
mirabilis hybrids are very effective with ants. Several of the
Nepenthes and S. minor also seem to do well with palmetto bugs (read
large Florida roaches). I guess size and subtle location differences
play a part, but I have had mirabilis hybrids virtually filled to the
top with ants while pithcers nearby from other species remain untouched.

Tom
Massey@hal.fmhi.usf.edu