Date: Fri, 5 Sep 1997 16:59:33 +1000 From: "Mark T. Bachelor" <bachelor@gateway.mggs.vic.edu.au> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg3386$foo@default> Subject: Feeding CP and TD Potting mix
Greetings all
I have also used blood to feed CP (mostly nepenthes) but I have
found that my plants do better a diet of of mealworms which I culture for
quail food. CP extract the nitrogen from the protein in their foods and the
phosphorus from the DNA & RNA. Blood is mostly composed of red blood cells
which lack nuclei and so have very little nucleic acid as compared to other
cells. For this reason blood, although it is absorbed easily, is not likely
to provide a well balanced diet for these plants. I also found that too
much resulted in the loss of pitchers due to the mould and excess of
bacteria that thrive in it (unfortunately not sufficient to increase the
phoshorus content).
I have an article on this that I obtained from a chemistry magazine. I will
scan it onto the computer when I get time and post it on the list.
I regards to alternative potting mixes Tuberous Drosera, in their natural
habitat many of them grow in almost pure fine sand that over lays a clay
pan, others grow in very heavy soil that is mostly clay with a small amount
of sand and humous through it. Plants such D. peltata will grow in a wide
range of conditions, from sphagnum to sand. I have grown wild collected
plants (from private property) in clay for two years before switching to
peat and sand. Some of my plants now grow in a mix of fine sand and fine
gravel with a little peat through it.
I would suggest that you try a mostly sand mix with what ever you can get
that will hold a little moisture.
Regards
Mark T Bachelor
Biology Technican
Melbourne Girls Grammar School Voice: 9866 1676
South Yarra, Victoria, Australia Fax: 9866 5768
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