Introduction

From: m harrison (m.harrison@hzg.sc.philips.com)
Date: Thu May 29 1997 - 20:18:18 PDT


Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 04:18:18 +0100
From: m.harrison@hzg.sc.philips.com (m harrison)
To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com
Message-Id: <aabcdefg2120$foo@default>
Subject: Introduction

CP'ers,
        Thanks for the replies regarding the ant problem. I have
taken action. As promised I said I would introduce myself so here goes:

I have been growing CP's for about 5 years but have interested been for
about 10 years. I am 34 and work in the semiconductor industry. I have
in my collection too many plants to list (a few hundred) but essentially
these are VFT, Nepenthes (mostly highland), Drosera (lots), Heli's,
Darlingtonia, Cephalotus,Ultric's, Ping's, Sar's (lots), Catopsis, Tilandasia.
All are grown in one small frost free greenhouse. I make the most of
the varied conditions in the greenhouse.
        My favourite plant at the moment is N x coccinea. It didn't think
it would like the cool conditions but so far is flourishing and growing new
pitchers. Surprise of month is D.Capensis which I planted in an outdoor bog
last year. It survived the winter at well below freezing. The above ground
foliage died but the roots must have survived as its is now sending up new
shoots. Most upsetting failure has been the loss of my one and only D.Villosa
and N. Sanguinea. Best success this year (so far) planting up the nooks and
crannies in the garden pond waterfall with P.Vulgaris and P.grandifloria
 - they love it.

Robert Hood wrote :

>I now need to have another set-up that will water all my plants while I am
>gone during a lot of the summer.

Robert, I have same problem all summer as I'm frequently away at work. I
built and use the following set up to maintain a constant pre set water
level: float switch, 12 volt relay, 12 volt caravan water pump, non-return
valve, rain barrel, garden hose pipe, 12v car battery and charger. It didn't
cost much and has been running for 2 summers so far. If you would like more
details send me an E-mail. I don't want to bore everyone here.

Regarding CP roots, a local CP grower has a very large collection of Sars'
and periodically floods his benches to pot level and then allows the water to
evaporate over a number of weeks. His pots stand in benches of
moss peat. He sees a growth surge following the flooding and judging by
the size of his plants it appears to work. The roots extend out his pots into
the peat in the benches whereas my in my set up, with a constant water level,
they do not. I intend to vary my water level in similar manner this year
and watch for any growth surges.

Cheers, Mark H. Lancs., UK



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