Carnivorous Plants

[jpappy789]

Hmmm, don't want to have to deal with that...not sure what people would think about a flytrap hibernating in the fridge :laugh:

Going back to tank setup...would I have to use sphagnum moss? or would peat moss do the job? It seems to be more accessible, especially in the summer.

Some sites says that there shouldn't be any standing water in the terrarium, because the roots might rot. Should I just stick to misting them often then?

 

[PaulJ69]

not sure what people would think about a flytrap hibernating in the fridge

LOL thats exactly what I did. I have a mini fridge in my room, put them in a ziplock bag, dated it and tossed it in the back.

When I get my bog garden up and running, I'll have different kinds of VFT. Sawtooth, Jaws, fused tooth, etc.

I want a waterwheel (Aldrovanda)....

 

[jpappy789]

oooh that would be cool!

 

[jbradt]

Hmmm, don't want to have to deal with that...not sure what people would think about a flytrap hibernating in the fridge :laugh:

Going back to tank setup...would I have to use sphagnum moss? or would peat moss do the job? It seems to be more accessible, especially in the summer.

Some sites says that there shouldn't be any standing water in the terrarium, because the roots might rot. Should I just stick to misting them often then?

Again, it depends on the variety. Droseras like to sit in standing water. I haven't misted them since I've had them. Nepenthes roots will rot if left that way. I mist the Neps 2-3xs per day and top water them daily, letting the water run out of the pot. For the planting medium, I use a 1:1 mix of peat moss and pearlite for droseras. I haven't repotted the Neps yet, but they say to use something that offers more drainage and aeration. The mix that Sarracenia Northwest uses is sphagnum moss/peat moss and some type of bark.

I don't think you really HAVE to use anything in the bottom of the terrarium... it depends on the look you want and how the humidity factor plays out. But I think either would work just as well if you choose to go that way.

 

[jpappy789]

Ok...I was wondering if that was why the Neps were on the crate like thing in your first setup.

I might go with some sort of moss on the bottom just to give it a more terrarium like look. Depends on if I can find anything.

I'm assuming that leaving the plants in what the manufacturer sends them in is ok. Just need to re-pot when they outgrow it?

 

[jbradt]

Ok...I was wondering if that was why the Neps were on the crate like thing in your first setup.

I might go with some sort of moss on the bottom just to give it a more terrarium like look. Depends on if I can find anything.

I'm assuming that leaving the plants in what the manufacturer sends them in is ok. Just need to re-pot when they outgrow it?

You can also get live sphagnum moss... which is actually kind of pretty. And grows like mad.

I leave mine in the pots they come in for as long as possible. IMO it helps with the acclimation process, and yeah; just repot when they out grow them. Once they reach adult size, it's still good to repot every 1-2 years to refresh the soil, etc... but I haven't gotten to that point yet, that's just research talking.

 

[jpappy789]

That would be cool, so long as it's easy to take care of.

 

[PaulJ69]

good news! Last night while feeding my carnies, I found 2 flower stalks on one of my VFTs! The same vft that produced one 3 months ago, before and now after dormancy. pretty cool

 

[jpappy789]

Awesome! :thumbsup:

I'm really liking the idea of putting live sphagnum moss on the bottom. I've read the the fibered moss can also "come back to life" when moistened.

Looks like the tricky part would be finding some, for a decent price. I'm not set on it but it would be neat to have something else growing in the tank.

 

[toddnbecka]

I know a place to collect live sphagnum moss if you can't find any, would cost me about $12 in gas to drive up there and back.