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Post by Aidan on Sept 8, 2007 13:30:38 GMT
The reason your plants grow better is because of airtion, which promotes root growth so the whole plant gets a good boost. Where did you hear this?
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Post by Hikenyura on Sept 8, 2007 17:44:06 GMT
First of all half of that was made form observation. From sarracenia northwest's e-book it states that repotting gives more soil aeration and aeration promotes vigorous growth. It also says that it allows plants to grow bigger rhizomes because of the space.
From my observation, vigerous growth helps give the whole plants a boost.
Just to be simple I heard it from sarracenia northwest's e-book
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Post by Aidan on Sept 8, 2007 17:52:52 GMT
I think I'm going to have to disagree with your e-book again. Bogs by their very nature are anoxic environments and the roots of carnivorous plants are well adapted for such conditions.
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Post by Hikenyura on Sept 8, 2007 18:01:30 GMT
Well I have to disagree with your idea. In my opinion, If you look at it bogs are allways flushed by rain or water, constanly getting airated, thus it grow in soil airation every once in a while.
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Post by brokken on Sept 9, 2007 7:12:46 GMT
I've not found that any one time is better to repot VFTs. In my own experience at least, I've moved them from one location to another and within a few weeks, the plants are growing normally again. This is one of my VFT planters:
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Clint
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Post by Clint on Sept 9, 2007 13:11:35 GMT
Well I have to disagree with your idea. In my opinion, If you look at it bogs are allways flushed by rain or water, constanly getting airated, thus it grow in soil airation every once in a while. Actually water collects in low-lying areas and these are usually where the bogs are. If you've ever been to a bog and stepped in mud you'll see it's not as fresh as you're saying it is. They are usually stagnant with anaerobic pockets. I'm not saying stagnant water and anaerobic bacteria are a good thing, just saying that bogs aren't all fresh and aerated like you say they are. Where did you hear this?
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Post by Hikenyura on Sept 9, 2007 17:50:19 GMT
Wow, I always though bogs were at normal elevation because bogs are always getting alot of sun. Just to note, I wasnt trying to say bogs are fresh (i know they arnt). I always though bogs were rained on once in a while so I though it aerated the soil. I knew that i rains it bogs so i came to the idea that it gets airated by myself (im still in school so I make bad observations still >.<)
Anyways I heard that VFTs almost grows in sand like soil, is that true?
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Clint
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Post by Clint on Sept 9, 2007 21:20:06 GMT
Having high amounts of light doesn't mean you have to be literally closer to the sun. It's about having open spaces and not being surrounded by trees and bushes that block the light, not by being at higher elevations. Many CP's come from high elevations like some Nepenthes and Heliamphora, but we aren't talking about those. Of course it rains in low-lying bogs but that's just adding more water to the water table or replacing what's evaporated. Some Dionaea do practically grow in sand in the wild. I suggest a peatier mix for your plants, though
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Post by Hikenyura on Sept 10, 2007 2:33:08 GMT
Well thanks, I learned a lot from you guys and this topic.
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Clint
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Post by Clint on Sept 10, 2007 13:05:08 GMT
No problem. Don't stop making observations
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wadave
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Post by wadave on Sept 11, 2007 9:17:43 GMT
A question for Aidan and Clint,
What would you put the obviously more vigorous growth of newly repotted VFT's down to?
I always assumed it was that the old mix had salt build up and nutrient from the decomposing peat and tends to be compacted. I've noted a faint smell similar to old seaweed, when you visit the beach, in pots that need new mix.
Putting the plant in fresh mix would then be removing these things that hinder healthy plant growth.
Tell me if I'm on the right track.
Cheers,
Dave.
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Post by Aidan on Sept 11, 2007 10:58:12 GMT
Ya got me! ;D
I don't know the precise reasons and I suspect it is a combination of factors, but unlike most carnivorous plants in cultivation Dionaea does benefit from reasonably regular repotting. The cure for poor performance is often as simple as a repot into fresh media.
I grow plants on a commercial basis and these days I rarely leave them undisturbed for longer than two years as I divide to produce plants for sale.
It could as you say be the accumulation of impurities and decay of the media, but I'd guess there are other factors at work as well such as moss/algal growth, micro-nutrients in fresh media etc. Also, rhizomes have a tendency to work themselves deeper and deeper into media over a period of years.
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Clint
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Post by Clint on Sept 11, 2007 17:46:23 GMT
Good questions. I dunno, either! One thing is for sure that this is seen with plants going from well-aerated as well as stagnant media to fresh media.
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wadave
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Post by wadave on Sept 15, 2007 15:17:01 GMT
Cheers guys,
Dave.
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Post by mmlr38 on Sept 17, 2007 4:58:09 GMT
Thanks for all the information Clint and Aidan. I have learned a lot in my short time well on this forum, my Dionaea are doing quite, and I am really looking forward to expanding my CP collection this spring.
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