My bog garden

[okapisrule]

I have recently made a bog garden in my backyard. It is doing fairly well, but I'd like to know if I'm doing anything wrong. I water it weekly if it doesn't rain (with hose water) and other than that, I pretty much leave it be. I recently put live sphagnum in it, and some of it is taking off. I got my plants from bugbitingplants.com, and they're doing well. I would also like to know what plants also work in the same soil mixture (3 peat:1 sand), and if any orchids would survive in the same soil.
Thanks!

[okapisrule]

Here are pictures:

[Myles]

Hello okapisrule, the Bog looks great! Its fun trying to imagine that bog in a year or two with plants established.

Unfortunately, I have almost no bog garden knowledge.... yet. I love seeing people taking the plunge into it, I definitely plan to one day follow

[stevebooth]

Hi okapisrule, its all looking good, one you get the bug (no pun intended) it is an all consuming hobby.
Can you give us a few more details such as where abouts in teh world you are located and if possibly an analysis of the tap water, total disolved solid content mainly, then i'm sure the many brains within the forum will give you all the assistance you need.
Cheers
Steve

[okapisrule]

Thanks. I'm in central Georgia, hardiness zone 8. Morgan County if you want to be specific. I'm not sure how to analyze tap water, a link to a guide would be great. My sundews actually had gotten their dew back after shipment, but recently lost it again. It had rained about a week after I planted all of the plants and they got dew after that, but then they lost it about a week ago (I've had the garden for about a month) and I figured it was because I needed to water them. I watered the garden a couple days ago and they haven't gotten much dew back, so I'm not sure if the water is a problem. It may just take a while to get the dew back.
Thanks for the help.
P.S. the quote, if you want the whole thing, is by Benjamin Franklin and goes, "I am a strong believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."

[stevebooth]

Hi Okapisrule

Thanks for that I never did know what the proper phrase was or where it came from, now I do.

Sundews often loose their dew when they become stressed, one of the reasons could be inadequate or inconsistent watering, or it could have been the rain if it was particularly heavy. I wouldn't worry too much as long as the dew returns in a few days.

You would need a TDS meter to analise your water, you can get them fairly cheaply from ebay. I would try not to water your bog with tap water, as most tap water is treated and is alkaline, the build up of the salts from the water in your bog will cause your plants harm, it starts with twisted and malformed pitchers and gets worse, till they die what looks a slow and painful death. If you can get yourself a water butt or barrel and collect rainwater, and only use that to water them your plants will thank you for it.

I assume that the bog has a liner in it, how deep is it and do you have any holes in it?

I'm not too 'up' on companion plants I'm afraid, but I have heard of people growing orchids, heathers, blueberries and various types of grasses with their carnivorous plants, although I tend to grow more carnivorous plants in any gaps as they fascinate me so much.

Otherwise you bog looks splendid, if you are anything like me you wont be able to stop yourself from buying 'just one more plant' to fill a gap somewhere, then before you know where you are you've built another bog and it all starts again. ;D

Cheers
Steve

[okapisrule]

I guess I could collect rain; there's a downspout near the garden. My grandparents collect rain water, so they could help teach me how to make one. It has a liner with 6 or so 6 inch slits. My sundews will probably completely overtake the bog in time, but I'm fine with that. I may also get some Utricularia. I probably will end up buying way too many plants; it's so addicting.