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Post by birdywatcher on May 26, 2008 21:27:54 GMT
I want to start growing this plant but I can't seem to find any useful information on how to grow it...Like what kind of soil to use, light and water needs.I would also like to whats the mature size for this plant.Could anyone help me?? Thanks for any help!! Birdy
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Post by Not a Number on May 27, 2008 0:46:27 GMT
There's not much written on Drosera linearis because no one to my knowledge has be able to cultivate them for any significant length of time.
It's very difficult to provide these plants with the long cold dormancy period (up to six months much of the time below freezing) without the plants dying.
I read on one board that some growers have resorted to freezing the plants solid in water in an effort to prevent fungus/mold growth. There was no follow up on this so I have no idea of the effectiveness.
Keep us informed on your efforts with the species and good growing.
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Post by birdywatcher on May 27, 2008 0:55:12 GMT
Actually, I live in it native range and its not unusual that it goes to -40 in winter so I might leave the plant outside for winter.. Thanks!! Birdy
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Post by Not a Number on May 27, 2008 1:11:24 GMT
The climate will no doubt help.
As I recall Drosera linearis has an affinity for marl fens (alkaline bogs) but I don't think anybody has shown that the alkalinity is necessary for their growth since they can be found in other type bogs.
See "Carnivorous Plants of the United States and Canada" by Donald E. Schnell fpr a description of marl fens - basically a sandy peat bog fed with water filtered though limestone.
I'd use a rather large pot or bury the pot in the ground for added insulation during the winter.
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Post by rsivertsen on May 27, 2008 2:52:07 GMT
The problem (as I, and so many others have encountered) is that this species requires an accelerated growth cycle (with a 16+ hr, or more day-length) in which it needs to feed and find ALL its meal tickets in order to sustain a healthy dormant turion that can survive its harsh and brutal winter months (within the brief 6 to 8 weeks of active growth), which may last well over 10 months! - Rich
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kby
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Posts: 162
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Post by kby on May 27, 2008 3:24:56 GMT
I'm trying. Got some hibernacula over the winter, and they started to come out, but got boiled in the last heat wave (trying to increase humidity). There is an old CPN article (can't remember the ref offhand) about giving it a constant water table and an elaborate "bobbing" device to do this kind of akin to th ether-filled glass bird dunkers but with water weight in the media.
WRT the Schnell reference, the 2nd edition has a lot more than than the first on culture. He says they end up going through 2 dormancies and the best he's been able to do. The normal plants just start to wake up about June, apparently. What usually happens is the cultivated plants start waking up about March/April and keeping them cold doesn't in and of itself in the fridge seem to help. Then they go dormant about June and wake up again with weaker traps later in the season. Something else I read talked about the double dormancy too, I think. Perhaps it is related to the extended photoperiod too.
Schnell and I think Barry although he may be quoting Schnell believe alkaline marl isn't necessary, maybe just a competative advantage. Apparently in mixed condition bogs often it's on the alkaline side and D. rotundifolia/anglica are in the more acidic sphagnum parts. Another old CPN article, so I'd recommend searching the indices.-kby
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Post by BarryRice on May 27, 2008 17:01:06 GMT
I am growing D. linearis from Montana and from Canada in 50:50 peat mix. It is a demanding plant, but I am growing it in a terrarium with a long winter period. The key, in my experience, is in feeding it. I feed my plants nearly daily with blood worms. Last year I obtained seed from my Canada plant which is germinating slowly.
Just a warning ahead of time---I have no spare material!
Barry
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Post by birdywatcher on May 27, 2008 17:30:26 GMT
Thanks for all the info!! I'm thinking of buying some seed from triffid nurseries. Are they a good company to buy from?? Also what do you mean by a 50:50 peat mix?? With sand or something differant?? Thanks again Birdy
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kby
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Posts: 162
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Post by kby on May 27, 2008 17:47:03 GMT
I am growing D. linearis from Montana and from Canada in 50:50 peat mix. It is a demanding plant, but I am growing it in a terrarium with a long winter period. The key, in my experience, is in feeding it. I feed my plants nearly daily with blood worms. Last year I obtained seed from my Canada plant which is germinating slowly. Just a warning ahead of time---I have no spare material! Barry Barry, tell me more. How do you give it the long winter period? Refigerator? Thanks.-kby
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Post by rhillier on May 27, 2008 18:23:03 GMT
I don't know about a constant water table being necessary... The fens that I see them in tend to be flooded in the spring to a point where the plants are submerged, and by mid to late august, the same fens are generally reduced to a very dry and hard crust on top (about 1/2 to 1" thick") with the sand below it being just moist. Of course, this can vary from year to year. Interestingly, this species tends to wrap things up for the growing season on the Canadian side of Lake Huron sometime around mid-August when the plant forms its hibernacula. The leaves that were formed during the growing season stay active for quite some time after that... I've never observed them to catch very many prey in this environment either. But they do seem to like a long dormancy (kind of like me after a good weekend of fun before going back to work )... I've had them in my bog since 2001 and I've noticed that the hibernacula seem to have a fairly high mortality rate in the spring, but what survives seems to make enough seed to keep things rolling along. >>> Rick <<<
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Post by BarryRice on May 28, 2008 17:00:19 GMT
Sorry for my lack of clarity in my email, I meant a 50:50 sand:peat mix. My standard mix for most Drosera. I grow them under lights in a terrarium for about 3 months, feeding them nearly daily. There's nothing magical about the water level---the pots are about 5 cm tall, sitting in 2-3 cm of water at all times. At the end of the growing season, the plants form hibernacula. I let them sit in the terrarium for a few weeks in this state, then put them in baggies and keep them in the fridge. I'm old-school about my refrigeration, and so I store them there for about 4-5 months. However, I've talked to some who see no point in storing their plants for more than about 3-4 weeks in the fridge. I will point out that their plants have effectively two or three growing seasons to each of my own, and their plants grow faster as a result! Cheers Barry
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kby
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Posts: 162
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Post by kby on May 28, 2008 19:56:55 GMT
Thanks, Barry; that's really helpful and your plant looks pretty good. Do you have to keep replacing dormacy losses from seed?-kby
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Post by BarryRice on May 29, 2008 20:29:00 GMT
I've only been growing this species for about four years. I have suffered no dormancy losses.
Barry
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Post by rhillier on May 30, 2008 18:08:05 GMT
Nice specimen, Barry... Out in my bog, I experience some dormancy loss each season... it does get a bit harsh out there, though... I've also had problems with the hibernacula sticking to the clumps of pine needles and also with birds that like to pick them off and fly away with them for some strange reason (not limited to D. linearis either )... This fall, I'm going to cover the clusters with margarine containers or something similar that will allow the pine needles to cover and insulate them, but not make physical contact and carry them away, as well as keep the bog protected from critters (the flying kind too) better than what I have now. >>> Rick <<<
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Post by BarryRice on May 30, 2008 19:32:57 GMT
Thanks.
Meanwhile, one thing that is challenging about this plant for me is that it has terrible germination rates. I have about 10% germination rates....
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