Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 11:05:37 -0400 (EDT) From: Oliver T Massey CFS <massey@hal.fmhi.usf.edu> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1811$foo@default> Subject: Re: Intro and Nep-questions
>
> Hi!
> Here's some questions for the Nepenthes growers here:
>
> 1. I've read about many varietys of planting soils and some of the
> ingredients are hard to find here. So I wonder if a mix of 1/3 spagnum
> peat, 1/3 dried spagnum moss and 1/3 perlite can keep Nepenthes happy?
> Anyone tried it? Is it a good idea to change it to 1/4 parts and include
> fir bark? Anyone used cypress mulch (I got it in a tropical vivarium and it
> seem to hold moist well)?
Others will have different ideas I'm sure, but... seems to me you don't need that much perlite. I would up the sphagnum moss and/or fir bark.
>
> 2. I've also read that some mills the spagnum moss. Any advantages doing so
> or is it only done to make it easier to mix it into the soil?
FWIW: I have never been sure why someone would do this. Whole long fiber sphagnum works very well as is.
>
> 3. For those of you who grows Neps in live moss. How hard do pack the moss
> in the pot (I guess enough to keep the plant standing). How long before you
> have to repot. Anyone tried another moss than spagnum?
For those I have in live sphagnum, I don't really pack it in. Orient
the moss as it naturally grows (living tuffs up :) ) and fill the pot as
you would if it were any other living plant. Once the pot is full I
usually see if I can easily push the moss away from the side, if so, I
might slide another few tuffs around the edge of the pot. - I know,
terrible explanation, how do you behaviorally describe "fairly open"?
Tom in Fl - USA
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