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Post by pes142 on Apr 6, 2011 4:20:26 GMT
So I got the Dunecraft kit from a CVS near my house a passing thing. After reading the directions and planting the kit, I was fascinated. I've been reading on this site, and other sites around the net, and praying that this kit would yield results. Reading all the reviews though, I didn't think anything would grow. But I've kept it under bright direct light for between 16 and 18 hours a day and prayed.
And now I have 5 sundew seedlings, and 3 VFT seedlings. So my question is, besides lots of light, and distilled water, is there anything i should be doing for these seedlings? Or just continue with the light and water?
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Post by bluemax on Apr 6, 2011 6:31:21 GMT
pes142 - I am unfamiliar with your kit but it would help to know what kind of conditions you are growing your seedlings under. Sounds like things are going well, though. For lots of general and specific information I would suggest Barry Rice's website here: www.sarracenia.com/faq.htmlBest of luck! - Mark
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Post by pes142 on Apr 6, 2011 15:11:44 GMT
Here are the conditions. Temperature outside the terrarium in the kit is between 72 and 76 degrees fahrenheit. I have the terrarium under two CFL lightbulbs for light for between 16 to 18 hours a day. The soil composition is whatever came with the kit. Dunecraft isn't specific as to its makeup, so thats all I can say about that. I'm misting weekly with distilled water. According to the seed packet, the 4 varieties I have planted so far are Dionaea muscipula, drosera capillaris, drosera filiformis-traci, drosera intermedia.
There was a second seed packet in the kit I was instructed to place in the refrigerator. I planted these on Sunday, After leaving them in my refrigerator for 6 weeks. There are supposedly 7 different types of pitcher plant seeds in this packet, but since they have only been in the terrarium for 3 days, I'm not expecting to see anything at all from them for at least a month to 6 weeks.
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Post by ICPS-bob on Apr 6, 2011 21:40:19 GMT
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Post by Not a Number on Apr 7, 2011 4:12:00 GMT
The main thing with these kits is if you are lucky enough to get seeds that are still viable. Unrefrigerated many of the seeds of the species included will lose viability in a very short time. I received one of these kits as a Christmas gift, either in 2005 or 2006. They must have revised the kit and instructions since then as there was only one packet of seed. The instruction said the seeds need stratification and to sow the seed on the moist mixture and to place the whole thing in the refrigerator. It also suggested gently pouring boiling water over the seeds and mix to simulate a grass fire prior to refrigeration which might increase the chance of germination. Only one seed germinated which turned out to be Sarracenia minor. The plant is doing well and has flowered for the past two or three years. The links provided above are excellent resources. Although I feed my seedlings crush blood worms (as well as crushed fish food flakes) as suggested in the above links I also infest my pots with springtails. Once the seedlings are growing carnivorous (trap) leaves I'll place the pot next to another pot that has springtails living in it. You can "seed" your pots by placing a pot with moist medium in it outdoors preferably near the garden or soil for a couple days. Then put the pot near your seedlings and the springtails will colonize the pots. These provide an excellent, free and effortless food source for your seedlings. What are springtails? Read all about them here: www.collembola.org/Excellent books on carnivorous plants (and the cultivation of) are: "The Savage Garden" by Peter D'Amato "Growing Carnivorous Plants" by Barry Rice "Carnivorous Plants and Their Habitats vol. 1 & 2" by Stewart McPherson
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Post by pes142 on Apr 7, 2011 4:46:38 GMT
The kit certainly has changed. It now contains two seed packets, and no mention of boiling water. It only tells you to stratify the pitcher plant seeds, and to simply plant the sundew and vft seeds. As horrible as the reviews may be by most people for this product, it already has me hooked. Regardless of how well these seedlings do, and I'm going to do my damndest to keep them alive, it has me hooked. I've bought two vft from my local plant store, and I love this hobby already. Just reading about it is fascinating, and watching these plant grow from seeds is amazing.
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