normando
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"Well, it's a cross between a butterwort and a Venus fly trap."
Posts: 35
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Post by normando on Dec 25, 2012 1:25:41 GMT
Whats the ideal humidity range for chephs? Should I grow them in a terrarium? Iv been thinking about trying outdoors since I live on the coast in cen cal and have read that our climate here is very similer to thier native habitats but im still afraid to subject my pride and joy to outdoor conditions. Any sugestions? Thanks for any help provided
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Post by bananaman on Dec 26, 2012 15:15:24 GMT
Although I grow Cephalotus, I don't know the ideal humidity range. If I were you, I'd take some leaf pullings than try the plants in various conditions, so you still have your main plant safe. This way, you won't lose your main plant. (This is what I'm doing right now with my ceph)
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Post by adamcross on Dec 27, 2012 3:44:21 GMT
I'm sure growers have had successes with a wide variety of techniques, but my advice would be to avoid terrariums for Cephalotus. They are highly susceptible to rot and mould, often brought on by a lack of adequate air flow and poor light. I live very near to Ceph country, and base my growing method off how I've observed the plants growing naturally: I've always had the best success growing them outdoors in full sun with good air circulation. Tray watering seems to provide more than adequate humidity.
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Post by bananaman on Dec 27, 2012 16:14:43 GMT
Thanks a ton! This will help me decide where to try my leaf pullings.
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normando
Full Member
"Well, it's a cross between a butterwort and a Venus fly trap."
Posts: 35
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Post by normando on Dec 28, 2012 18:23:13 GMT
Yes thank u very much for the help. Since iv had my cephs in a terrarium should I gradualy "harden" it off somhow to lowe humidity conditions? Or will it be fine if I just took it out of the tank and maby windowsill it for a little while before outing it outside in dappled sunlite before eventually having it in full sun? How would I go about hardning off terrarium grown cephs? Unfortunatly one of my cephs are very young and too small for cuttings and my other ceph is mature but I just got it from california carnivores about a month or so ago and 2 out of thr 4 traps it came with are gone due to age im sure cuz the two remaining traps are beutifull and thriving. Hopfully after this season ill have some material to work with but for now im guna hav them outdoors. Iv had succes growing growing heliamphora heterodoxa x minor outdoors in the mild summers here on a shallow tray system with routin mistings and somtimes a hand pump mister positioned to constantly mist it during hotter parts of the day but hav found its still easier and less stresfull to keep them in cool terrariums. That said im sure cephs would do just fine on a shallow tray system oeraps with its pot in a bigger ceramic pot (perferably white) to keep the roots cool. As soon as I get to a computer I will try to upload photos of som of my plants. Im hoping we'l have another mild spring/summer this year and ill be able to try som helis outdoors again and take pics this time now that iv got a nice camera and show people that this species can indeed thrive outdoors if your area and weather permits. Ill post in the future and let erbody know the outcome of my crphs outdoors. In the mean time keep the tips and info coming! Thanks for everyting guys!
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Post by vinnymc on Dec 28, 2012 20:29:06 GMT
They like high humidity with air flow
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Post by adamcross on Dec 29, 2012 0:01:18 GMT
Normando- here's a picture from a month or so back of one of my plants growing outdoors. The weather's getting very hot so they look pretty scrappy, but it gives you an idea of how little they can be concerned by humidity. This plant has sent up three inflorescence so far this season. But find what works best for you!
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normando
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"Well, it's a cross between a butterwort and a Venus fly trap."
Posts: 35
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Post by normando on Dec 29, 2012 16:29:52 GMT
Wow thank you so much. I jus set my adult ceph outdoors lastnight. It kinda got raind on last night prety good, hope its ok. Im sure if it gets dry today he shoyld be fine. My ceph seedling seems to be happy where he is in the terrarium so im keep uing him where he is, iv had it for almost 2 months now in the terrarium under t-5s and its very deep burgandy and is puting on new fuzzy growth coming out of the middle of the rosete so I dnt want to disturb it. Ill post picks of my collection soon, I promis.
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normando
Full Member
"Well, it's a cross between a butterwort and a Venus fly trap."
Posts: 35
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Post by normando on Dec 31, 2012 17:48:43 GMT
Also what are those tuffs of grass in the pot? It looks good. Im looking for som good companion plants for my collection that dont necisarily need to be carnivorous but id like to know what plants those are next to your cephs. Thank you! Oh yeah I got a Brocchinia reducta (carnivorous bromiliad) comn in the mail, know anything about them? If I could get it growing well and start propigating them, I think they would make good looking comion plants. Sorry to get off topic. K good growin! Normando
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Post by adamcross on Jan 1, 2013 0:51:36 GMT
Normando, the tufts are a locally endemic dryland sedge species which grows naturally with Cephalotus. They're dormant at the moment, which is why they look rather conspicuously dead! But come winter they'll start growing again and provide a great companion plant. Almost any grassy sedge could probably be used, provided they don't grow too rapidly. I let my companion species overgrow my Cephs (as happens naturally), and then will burn the dead grasses off after 2-3 years to stimulate the Cephs to regenerate and to germinate any seed in the pots.
Regarding your Brocchinia, try for a full sun position in a moist to wet open mix in a very humid position (others may have different suggestions, but mine grow well like this). I was lucky enough to see fields of B. reducta in Venezuela, and they are a stunning plant en masse!
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Post by Not a Number on Jan 1, 2013 11:33:22 GMT
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Post by RL7836 on Jan 2, 2013 17:05:11 GMT
Thanks a ton! This will help me decide where to try my leaf pullings. Bananaman, Check the weather on the links NaN posted. I suspect that you'll find Austin weather quite different from the Oz poster. I typically summered my larger Cephs outside as I found the natural photoperiod (& possibly light intensity) helped to stimulate flower production - as well as getting the natural pollinators to help out. However, all of the plants that spent the summer outside in our climate suffered and none 'looked' as healthy as those that stayed inside. Otoh, Normando's climate would probably be a dream for the plants ...
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