Re: nepenthes mistake -Reply

Charlotte Vandaveer (vandavee@chuma.cas.usf.edu)
Fri, 2 Dec 1994 21:47:53 -0500 (EST)

For what it is worth, copper compounds can damage almost any plant if
dosages are high enough. I know of plantings being destroyed by run-off
from copper roofs.
I have been told that plants like epiphytes and bog plants are extremely
sensitive to heavy metals simply because they have evolved in nutrient
poor situations, ie almost no trace elements (metals).
For a bit of trivia: Copper compounds were sprayed in vineyards because
it stained the hands of the gosh-awful peasants who stole grapes to
survive. The local constabulary could then pick up and punish these
subversives. It happened to be noticed that
the sprayed vines didn't get fungal diseases. And please be careful,
copper compounds can do nasty things to human physiology as well.
Happy trapping,
Chelsie