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Post by kwende on Jun 21, 2012 2:12:00 GMT
I just picked up one of these little guys, but now I'm confused about the right soil. On Peter's site, he mentions this: "An ideal mix is 1 part peat, 1 part perlite, 1 part pumice, 1 part sand, maybe some lava if you have it." Source: www.californiacarnivores.com/drosophyllumlusitanicumseedlingdeluxepotted.aspx. At this link, I see that peat is considered a major no-no: "And DO NOT use peat. I have found references to using peat, I would not." Source: www.world-of-carnivores.net/dewpinecare.html. In Peter's book, he mentions this: "...use equal parts perlite, sand and vermiculite" But here it says to not use vermiculite: "Avoid vermiculite, it is too moisture retentive and in my experience toxic" Source: icps.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=drosophyllum&action=display&thread=2423So, what I did was pot in peat, vermiculite, lava rock, sand and perlite. So..what do I do here? Help!
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Post by kwende on Jun 22, 2012 15:51:57 GMT
Since I don't seem to be getting replies I'm going to assume this is a fairly complicated answer. I'll put my latest findings on here for the sake of posterity.
I did reach out to Peter out at California Carnivores and his response was basically that when he wrote the book the first time, they didn't know a lot about the particulars of the soil these plants grew in. They know a lot more now, and typically recommend the mixture as stated on their website:
"An ideal mix is 1 part peat, 1 part perlite, 1 part pumice, 1 part sand, maybe some lava if you have it."
He recommended I maybe repot since I had originally placed it within vermiculite, so I'm going to do that this weekend.
...it's a nice little plant. It's starting to produce a lot of dew now, so I hope that means it's liking where I've put it outside. We'll see.
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Post by coldcoffee on Jun 22, 2012 18:18:09 GMT
Hi kwende, Sorry you did not get responses sooner. I am not sure that this is one of the more cultivated plants out there. I will be honest, I have not had the best of luck with this species myself so my thoughts should be taken with a grain of salt. The soil mixture I had last time was very similar to what you have listed there: "An ideal mix is 1 part peat, 1 part perlite, 1 part pumice, 1 part sand, maybe some lava if you have it." Although I did add one part vermiculite to it. Perhaps that is why the plant died- not sure. My suspicion had been that I first underwatered it, then in a panic over watered it and it stayed moist too long. That is my strong suspicion. Have you heard of slack potting? Something you might consider trying. This is what I intend to try next: www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/samples/Cult294SlackPot.htmwww.sarracenia.com/faq/faq3190.htmlBest of luck, lets us know if other questions arise and how things go. I would not mind the opportunity to swap notes on this one, I am trying to get it down myself.
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Post by Not a Number on Jun 22, 2012 18:25:46 GMT
I was going to point out that Savage Garden was written over twenty years ago and much has been learned since then. A new edition is in the works and should be released next year.
Also media mixes are a highly personal thing and there are probably as many "secret" recipes as there are growers.
Sometimes it's just a matter of looking at all the options out there and deciding which "feels" right to you and go from there.
To quote Jerry Addington (http://www.courtingfrogs.com)
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Post by kwende on Jun 22, 2012 23:48:24 GMT
Coffee -
No, I hadn't heard of slack potting. I appreciate your link though. I just have it in a 14 inch clay pot at the moment, and I think I'm going to probably let it stay there (without repotting or adjusting the mixture) because now I worry about disturbing the root system by moving it around too much.
Besides, not knowing what vermiculite was I simply didn't put much in there. After conversing with a lot of people, I'm starting to think it's really not as much about the soil used as it is simply about how much water you use. All of the variations of potting soil I've mentioned seemed to be used by different people with different degrees of success, so like NaN eludes to, I think an important variable is just the person themselves.
NaN -
Thanks again for your input. Much appreciated. What you mention is something I've started to suspect as I read and re-read a lot of the success and failure stories online: each person has a different bit of "secret sauce" they put into their mixture. The problem with me is I take the death of a plant hard and personal, almost like the death of a pet. I have a huge soft spot for nature (I'm a bit of a tree hugger) and so I get really upset and saddened if I see a plant down and out. I've had to hold myself back from chewing out grocery stores that try to sell diseased little Venus Flytraps to children (I imagine both the flytrap and the kid having a very sad outcome).
I'll be very forthcoming about the success/failures I have with this plant. I'm looking forward to exploring this species with everyone here. I'll keep everyone posted. To that end, I'm going to keep it in the mixture I have at the moment and simply keep an eagle-eye on the state of how wet the soil is.
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Post by coldcoffee on Jun 23, 2012 4:23:17 GMT
"After conversing with a lot of people, I'm starting to think it's really not as much about the soil used as it is simply about how much water you use. All of the variations of potting soil I've mentioned seemed to be used by different people with different degrees of success, so like NaN eludes to, I think an important variable is just the person themselves. "
I agree 100%. Also agree with everything NaN says. I do think water is the primary issue but what I would suggest you consider is the question: "How do you control the amount of moisture around the root system?" Soil recipe goes a long way. I think it is true that what works for one does not work for everyone. I think there are some basic principles that can be more or less assumed about a plant such as 'Drosophyllum prefers to dry out more and hates staying wet." Is there a specific magic soil recipe that guarantees success? I would say not, part of that depends on your climate (and hence rate of evaporation, rainfall, etc...), part of it depends on how you are cultivating it and what your personal style is. These factors necessarily effect the demands on the soil media itself and how quickly water is lost, or how long it is held. My thought, try to see the soil recipes for what they are- recommendations based on what has worked for one person and could likely work for you. But also keep in mind that it is best to try to interpret what each of those components adds to the soil media itself- how does it change the character and water retention properties and how would that get you to your goal.
Sorry, this was long. Just my thoughts.
Let us know how it goes, I look forward to hearing about your results!
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Post by gardenofeden on Jun 23, 2012 20:56:54 GMT
Drosophyllum are not fussy about soil, I grow them in any old stuff lying around as long as it has plenty of grit and perlite added, currently some old orchid compost!. When young they are not fussy over water either, it is only as they get older you have to restrict water, over 10cm (4") or so...
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Post by kwende on Jun 23, 2012 23:26:54 GMT
Seriously? Wow. Thanks for the feedback.
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Post by kwende on Jun 23, 2012 23:57:10 GMT
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coline
Full Member
Life's essence: patience
Posts: 484
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Post by coline on Jan 1, 2013 23:17:46 GMT
So then how are your plants now kwende? And do you guys know then, as coldcoffee said, then which would be a good watering regime, and how much water?
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Post by adamcross on Jan 2, 2013 1:33:26 GMT
I grow my Drosophyllum in a pretty basic media of sand, coir peat, perlite and charcoal, something along the lines of 5/2/1/2. As gardenofeden said, they really don't seem to be fussy when it comes to media mix.
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