How I grow petiolaris complex

[thwyman]

I have posted this in a couple other forums but will add it here as it seem some people are interested.

I have 4 40L tanks set up this way. Lighting is by 2 120cm shop light sets (2 tubes per set). Heat is by 50W aquarium heaters in submerged in the water.

Media as pictured is 2/1/1 sand/LFS/pine bark mulch but I have recently switched up and now have an additional 2 parts perlite in the mix. The plants grow stronger in the new mix. As an aside, I am about the only person I know who uses pine bark mulch and it is a bit odd for mixes, I have experimented and peat works fine instead.

Photoperiod is 13/11 unless someone is using the spare room then it is 11/13.

From the front



From the side

With the access panel



Access panel removed



Showing heater



Close up on the access panel. To make these I just use window screen material and toss a piece of plastic along the sides (if anyone wants a better explaination on how to make one I can give the details.)



And a graphic on how the air circulates. The red arrows show air flow. Cool air comes in the bottom and hot air out the top. If you look at side view with the access panel in place you can see condensation on the top.



A different tank (more plastic so higher humidty) but it shows well how the air flow runs. Where there is free access to the screen the glass remains condensation free, where the airflow is impeded by plastic there is condensation.

[jm82792]

How hard are they to grow aren't they tropicals?

[endodoc]

thwyman, thanks for the cultural info and great pics, very nice setup and awesome drosera
regards
ed

[thwyman]

jm82792,

Yes they are tropical. Once you figure out how to provide the right conditions they are not very difficult. But, depending on where you are located and your living situation, figuring out how to provide their conditions can be difficult. If you really are interested in growing these guys then I suggest you start with D. paradoxa. It is the most forgiving of the complex. If you can not keep it happy then I do not recommend you try for any of the others.

Ed,

Not a problem. Ask away if you have any firther questions

[Pingman]

I grow mine in similar conditions. Below is the link to my photo album. I grow mine in a 20 gallon long tank that is on its side. The lights are 3 cfl's with a total of about 105 watts. The plants are about 8 inches from the light, with mylar all around the sides of the tank.

You can see a reptile heating cable that heats up the tank. In the afternoon when there is some sunlight hitting the tank, it reaches over 105 degrees.

The pots are raised so do not sit in water. I have to hand water about every other day. There are a few D. falconeri's that i keep in the covered plastic pots for additional humidity. I probably don't have to do that, but i do.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks
Peter.

www.flickr.com/photos/minicatt/sets/72157600203879327/detail/