First up: as a new member of the list, let me introduce myself. My name is
Nick Pitfield, and I am currently working for Nortel Dasa Network Systems
near Friedrichshafen in southern Germany. I've recently bought the following
CP plants:
1) Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea Muscipula).
I bought two of these, from different local garden centres.
The first is fine, and has caught a few flys (including some big daddy long
legs).
The second turned black and seemingly died within a few days, but it had a
few black parts when I first bought it (it was the best of a poor lot) and
so I assume it was probably already dying. I have cut all the leaves off,
leaving the base and roots, and am now waiting to see if it will manage to
recover (I'm not very hopeful !).
2) North American Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia Purpurea)
I have two of these, which so far seem to be doing okay.
3) North American Pitcher Plant (Sarracenia Atkinsoniana)
It just said "Sarracenia Hybrid" on the label, and the closest I could find
on the on-line DB of images is the Atkinsoniana, which is a Flava*Purpurea
hybrid).
This one seems to be doing fine so far.
I have a few questions:
1) The above are currently growing in 12cm diameter pots in a hydroculture-
like scheme using "Seramis", which is red clay particles of about 2-3mm in
diameter. Seramis and other similar brands are widely used in Europe for
growing house plants.
Some of the plant's original soil is retained around the roots, and then
the rest of the pot is filled with Seramis, and given some special plant
food (fertilizer).
According to a German house plant book I have, VFT (and, presumably, other
CP) should be given a lot of sunlight and water, like to be kept damp and
in high humidity (50%+), and should be fertilized every 4 weeks between May
and August (their "growing season" in Europe). Apparantly the plants must
have some fertilization because there is little actual soil to provide any
nutrients. I am using a special plant water filter to provide lime-free
water.
As these are bog plants, am I correct in thinking that the pots should be
kept virtually full of water to the top of the seramis/soil, or will this
cause the roots to root ?
Also, I understand that the native habitat of CP is slightly acidic. Should
I make the pot water slightly acidic, and if so, how ?
2) I tried to access the bibliographic list from the CP FAQ page, but
the host
server for the book list (randonaccess.unm.edu) seems to be down.
Would somebody please either send me an ASCII copy of the bibliographic
list, or give me details of the best books on growing CP....
Thanks in anticipation of your help....
Regards.
Nick.
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