Carnivorous Plants

That would be cool, although I'd check the laws first...read that certain areas aren't so keen on collecting since even most of the commercial collecting isn't very sustainable.

I read on a forum something about Home Depot selling LF moss. I've never seen it myself, and I thought they only sold peat (at least the one I worked at did), but I'll have to check that out. Nurseries seem to be hit or miss as well.

I'll have to check with what I have locally and also decide if I'm going the live route in the first place.

I just joined www.terraforum.com to get some more opinions...let's see what they have to say about the idea...
 
well, the forum I joined hasn't been that much help so far...

I'm a little wary of going with live or LF sphagnum, but at this point I'm going to try it.

I'm thinking a layer of milled sphagnum or just regular peat underneath would be enough with the "live" moss on top. The nep will obviously be raised so its roots don't get too moist.
 
www.terraforums.com
There's actually an "s" on the end. Totally different site. Not a lot of info but I like looking at pictures.
 
jpappy789 said:
well, the forum I joined hasn't been that much help so far...

I'm a little wary of going with live or LF sphagnum, but at this point I'm going to try it.

I'm thinking a layer of milled sphagnum or just regular peat underneath would be enough with the "live" moss on top. The nep will obviously be raised so its roots don't get too moist.
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Long Fiber Sphagnum is what I use as a base in my Nep. set up. I haven't had any problems with it so far. I think i got it at Home Depot. Just remember with any of this stuff, don't get the Miracle Gro type, or anything with fertilizers in it as it will burn the roots and kill the plants.
 
And that does a good enough job with moisture/humidity?

I'm not going to be looking for anything live I decided. Should probably focus on keeping the CP's alive first.

Do you do anything for feeding?

A lot of places mention that neps, especially, can go on like a fly a month. Only problem is that at the same time I keep reading to keep the terrarium pretty sealed...so not sure how insects are going to get in.

Which also brings me to another point. How do you keep the air from getting stagnant? It seems like some people add computer fans to setups to get some circulation but I have no idea how I would do that...
 
jpappy789 said:
And that does a good enough job with moisture/humidity?
Click to expand...
Yep. Especially in a set up wider than tall, the surface area should add plenty of humidity.

jpappy789 said:
I'm not going to be looking for anything live I decided. Should probably focus on keeping the CP's alive first.

Do you do anything for feeding?

A lot of places mention that neps, especially, can go on like a fly a month. Only problem is that at the same time I keep reading to keep the terrarium pretty sealed...so not sure how insects are going to get in.
Click to expand...
It's still pretty cold here, so not a lot of bugs out at this point. When I do happen to find a bug or spider near the terrarium, I'll feed it to one of the plants. From what I've read, you're right that most plants can go on one feeding a month or less. There are places online that you can order wingless fruit flies if it comes to that. I'm pretty sure that as the weather warms up, there will be enough to catch an put in there.

jpappy789 said:
Which also brings me to another point. How do you keep the air from getting stagnant? It seems like some people add computer fans to setups to get some circulation but I have no idea how I would do that...
Click to expand...
I don't seal the terrarium at all. On the ten gllong, I've only got about 9" of the top covered. The upright only has a screen on top and a couple small pieces of glass covering about 40%. In both setups, the humidity stays between 50-60%, and all the plants seem to be thriving thus far.
 
I just read something interesting regarding feeding. Here's a quote from "Growing Carnivorous Plants" by Barry Rice:

"Commercially available prey can be convenient; for example, aquarium stores sell "bloodworms." A tweezer full of bloodworm, hydrated in a drop of water, is perfect food for even the tiniest of carnivorous plants." (p. 175).

He's specifically talking about freeze dried ones in the book, but I'm assuming that frozen ones, thawed in distilled water would be good too. How cool to be able to feed your fish and plants the same thing!

It was also talking about buying crickets and blending them with purified water to make a spray fertilizer, but that just sounds a little nasty...
 
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