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Post by John Brittnacher on Apr 18, 2007 22:25:11 GMT
Which Heliamphora species are the easiest for terrariums, what kind of grow mix do you use, and do you foliar (or otherwise) feed them?
I have a standard Heliamphora heterdoxa X minor from tissue culture growing in live sphagnum. It usually doesn't sit in water--it does when I am out of town. It has survived for years but doesn't flourish.
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Post by maraxas on Apr 18, 2007 23:02:26 GMT
John, At the ICPS conference 2006 I bought 3 bare root Heliamphora from Wistuba. This was my first attempt at Heliamphora. I had always heard they were difficult and I didn't expect much.
H. heterodoxa x nutans H. minor H. nutans (Kukenam Tepui) <-- (Thats typical nutans)
I first potted them using 3 parts perlite, 1 part long fiber, 1 part peat (if my notes are correct)
The heterodoxa x nutans and the minor are doing great in my terrarium. Lots of new growth and good color/nectar spoons.
The standard nutans is not looking so good, but I think I can save it still.
I just replanted all three into bigger pots (originally 4" plastic, drained but now 6" plastic, drained). I think I used the same medium but I added some vermiculite this time.
Be careful when potting/moving the nectar spoons are delicate and break off easily.
When I re-pot I put long fiber over the drain holes and then a layer of charcoal on top. Then comes the mix.
I keep these plants on the tray method but I let the trays dry out (not the soil) between waterings. I also mist when I'm bored. (normally 2 times per day) My tank so far has stayed between 60 and 80 degrees F. Humidity stays around 60-80 percent.
I picked these plants based on the fact that they were the slowest growing varieties left when I made my purchase and I didn't have a ton of room in my tank for faster growing types. The two that are doing good grow much faster than I expected.
Good luck! Hope this helps.
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Post by maraxas on Apr 18, 2007 23:05:35 GMT
Ohh and I forgot to answer your 1 question:
I don't feed them at all, but I do add water to the pitchers once in a while. Also, I use growth hormone when I re-pot.
I water them with tap water. I tested mine with a meter and it is around 60 PPM.
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Post by glider14 on Apr 18, 2007 23:19:07 GMT
my heterodoxa x ionasii grows in the same warm-ish conditions as my heterodoxa x minor. both in live sphagnum. i think its easy...but time will tell for sure. Alex
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Post by jrl1265 on Apr 20, 2007 14:46:16 GMT
I grow my heterodoxa x minor in a 5 gallon terrarium with no pot just dried sphagnum moss. I water by spraying overhead. The plant has grown to fill half the tank. I have lots of different growth points with many stages of pitcher development. I do feed my plants freeze dried blood worm.
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Post by stevestewart on May 8, 2007 20:51:30 GMT
Here are a couple of Heliamphora heterodoxa x minor growing in the hot south windows of my Florida apartment. If you can get some healthy Sphagnum for them to grow in they seem to take quite a bit of heat. I get more light in the cool winter months than the summer, which helps keep the heat down. Take care, Steven Stewart
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Post by trimen1000 on May 8, 2007 22:45:19 GMT
If you can get your hands on it H. 'Tequila' Seems to be extremely easy to grow.
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Post by Pingman on May 9, 2007 1:51:04 GMT
Steve, WOW, i'm surprised you have been able to keep Heli's in those terrariums. Sounds like they would get a bit hot? How hot do you think it gets in there? Thanks, peter.
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Post by trimen1000 on May 9, 2007 8:39:10 GMT
I agree, i can see it getting way too hot in there. But they look happy enough, also the one on the metal stand is very attractive. I might have to look for something like that.
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Post by stevestewart on May 9, 2007 17:28:33 GMT
My Heliamphora heterodoxa x minor plants routinely get to temperatures around 86F/30c in the spring and fall. I have the good fortune of shade, in the heat of summer, and sun in the cool of winter. Not all Heliamphora can grow in these conditions! I would suggest only experimenting with extra plants that won't be missed if lost to heat. My species of the genus all died within a week of one another several years ago when I was buying RO water from a store and got water that was straight from a softener. This hybrid survived even that! A TDS meter is worth every penny! Trust only yourself with water quality. The glass on the metal stand is a candle holder, there is an abundant variety of candle holders (lanterns?) that can be used as terreria. Some second quality glassware is great (a.k.a. cheap) if the imperfections are only aesthetic and below the level of the potting media. Growing any plant without drainage is something that needs to be done very carefully! Once you get the hang of it, less care is needed than for plants in pots. Only one overwatering mistake, and there are no second chances to get it right.
Take care, Steven Stewart
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Post by brokken on May 10, 2007 16:31:42 GMT
Here are a couple of Heliamphora heterodoxa x minor growing in the hot south windows of my Florida apartment. If you can get some healthy Sphagnum for them to grow in they seem to take quite a bit of heat. I get more light in the cool winter months than the summer, which helps keep the heat down. Take care, Steven Stewart Wow! That's remarkable! I would have never thought that plants could survive like that. I'd think that a setup like that would more likely result in collared greens than a succesful terrarium, but there's no arguing with success. They look wonderful!
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matti
Full Member
Posts: 216
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Post by matti on May 11, 2007 11:45:35 GMT
I grow two H.nutans plants in a uncooled terrerium.
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Post by quogue on May 23, 2007 16:39:09 GMT
'Tequilla' seems to be a pretty easy plant, and the best-looking of the Heli's in my opinion... Front Back Close-up And the whole plant It's not so big, but alot bigger than the mass of little immature traps I got it as.. Love that yellow colour too!
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Post by pinglover on May 25, 2007 3:33:14 GMT
OK, I'm sold. I'll try one. I've been holding out for a while and I've really wanted to go for it but figured I'd end up with a dead plant.
stevestewart- where do I purchase a terrarium such as the one you have on the rod iron stand please?
quogue- where do I purchase a 'Tequilla' please?
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Post by pinglover on May 25, 2007 3:33:58 GMT
Hey John, forgot to ask if you were going to take the plunge and try one?
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