Re: Questions

Chris Teichreb (teichrch@Meena.CC.URegina.CA)
Sat, 27 Jul 1996 10:26:17 -0600 (CST)

Hi Michael,

> I have a few questions about my small CP 'setup'. Im am using
> a 20
> gallon aquarium as a terrarium. My growth medium is %70 peat/ %30
> sand. I am growing 3 flytraps, 2 sundews, 2 lobster pots, 2 cobras
> and 1 s. purpurea purpurea, all are fairly young plants. I have a low
> wattage grow light

I'm not sure what a lobster pot is. Do you know the scientific name?
You'll find that people can help you a lot more if you know the exact
scientific name of your plant.

> How do I increase humidity in an artificial environment such as my
> terrarium setup? I covered the holes in the lid with plastic to try
> and 'catch' some

Spraying. If you get one of those misting bottles, you can increase
the humidity by quite a bit every day. As well, you'd probably be surprised
how humid it really is in your terrarium, even if there isn't water in the
air. Look out for fungus and molds as they love high humidity and low light.
You didn't say what wattage your light was, but you said it was low. If
possible, increase this. All the CP's you have will appreciate higher
light levels.

> of the humidity but this doesnt seem to work. My pitchers never seen to
> fill on their own, I have to fill them myself with distilled water. Should
> I get a fan to circulate air? Should I put more water in the tank and heat
> the bottom in an attempt to promote evaporation? Any suggestion would be

You can get a fan, but this will just help cool the terrarium. It
would be necessary if temperatures are quite high due to your lighting.
The Sarracenia purpurea pitchers will never fill on their own. In the
wild, they are filled by rainwater. Your Darlingtonia may have fluid in
it, you just may not notice it.

> greatly appreciated. Also, I understand alot of CP's go dormant during the
> winter. Can I 'fool' them into thinking its spring/summer all year by
> keeping amount of light exposure and temperature constant? I was thinking
> it may be doable since the environment Im providing can be highly regulated
> if it would be worth it or if it would totally screw with the plants growth
> cycles.

You'll totally screw with the plants growth cycles. They need the
dormancy or else they'll die. However, some people have had success in
keeping VFT's growing year round, just at lower growth rates in the winter.

> Thanks
> +Michael
> buck@net-link.net
>
Regards,

Chris