One thing I did notice when I dropped chunks of tubifex into
various traps...within a few minutes, the tubifex began to
dissolve into a slurry blob in the trap liquid.
You know, when I visited California Carnivores up in
Healdsburg, CA, I noticed that the overall intensity
of light was rather low. The real trick they pulled
in that greenhouse was having a drippy waterfall from
a contraption that dripped down into a piece of rain
gutter. This kept the environment very humid. And,
I believe, the water was recycled back to the top of
the contraption.
Another thing I noticed was a special clear plastic humidity
tent for plants like N. Rajah were there was nearly 100
percent humidity and the temp must have been 100 degrees.
I don't think I want to replicate conditions like these.
But I will say that they were rooting a lot of Nepenthes
cuttings, and they had a lot of success at it. Part of
the reason, I think, was the lower level of light. Now
I'm guessing, but perhaps higher light conditions are
not good for rooting Nepenthes cuttings. I attempted
to root three N. Alata cuttings this summer, and the
cuttings sat there with growth nubs that did not
grow, and then after 3 months finally turned brownish
black and croaked. So, I'm not sure what I did wrong.
Temps were about 80-90 degrees at points, usually 80
degrees, and I was using a light shade cloth over the
part of the greenhouse that they were in.
I seem to have no problems with established plants or
rooted cuttings, just cuttings that I'm trying to root.
Anyone have any suggestions as to how I can improve my
chances of rooting Nepenthes cuttings in the future?
Thanks in advance.
---Steve