Bicals, Raffs and Grow Lights

[Bohdisattva]

Hiya All- ;D

I'm almost done with my lowland greenhouse which will house a couple of Neps, mainly a couple of raffs and bicals (eventually).

I know both species are shade loving plants, but I know many of you grow them in terrariums under grow lights when small.

But what about having a sunsystem 1000 watt growlight system in my greenhouse? Would it be alright for a shade loving nep? I was just offered a pretty good deal on a set up. Plus the heat it puts out will add to high heat requirement and that I may also extend the photoperiod which is greatly shortend hear in the Northwest.

Come to think of it, basically I'm just building an 8 x 8 x 8 terrarium. A closed system with some venting and air movment, a fogger, a grow light, and a little bit of heat.

Comments, suggestiongs, thoughts, ect?

Thanks to all those who reply and good growing y'all,
Bo

[laura]

Good luck on the greenhouse - I'm jealous - apartment dweller and most of my plants are inside. I tried low lights on my bical and got really small pitchers. When I brought it to the LACPS meeting they laughed...loudly... When I put it under bright lights, the pitchers grew to a normal size and they have a good color. It's also growing faster.

Laura

[Brian Barnes]

Don't be discouraged...N. bicalcarata has a reputation for being a slow grower.

[Clint]

Lol, what reputation are you listening to? N. bicalcarata is known to be one of the fastest growing species there is.

If I were in your situation I'd let the sun light the greenhouse and make a big grow chamber in the basement (if you have one.)

[Michael Catalani]

N. bicalcarata can be a pain for commercial growers because a 4"-6" plant can triple its size in a matter of months.

It will need a very large pot for the size of the plant, as it is very prone to becoming root bound. Give it plenty of root space, warmth, and humidity, and it will own any space around it very quickly.

[Bohdisattva]

Hey Loneal-

I'm glad your bical is doing much better under bright growlights . . . wooo hooo!

JustLikeAPill-

Sorry no basements where I live, wish I did though, great for highlanders.

Mr. Catalani-

What would be the recommend pot sizes for a growth of a bical? Would suggest start with 5gal, then 15gal and finally 25? Or would you suggest placing a 4"- 6" diatmeter bical directly into a 25gal pot? Not trying to be funny, but I would like nothing but the best to grow a beast. But boy, the cost of the soil to fill up such a tub will probably cost 4-6 times more than the 4"- 6" plant itself . . . sheesh.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Good Growing Everyone,
Bo

[Michael Catalani]

bohdisatfa said:

Mr. Catalani-

What would be the recommend pot sizes for a growth of a bical? Would suggest start with 5gal, then 15gal and finally 25? Or would you suggest placing a 4"- 6" diatmeter bical directly into a 25gal pot? Not trying to be funny, but I would like nothing but the best to grow a beast. But boy, the cost of the soil to fill up such a tub will probably cost 4-6 times more than the 4"- 6" plant itself . . . sheesh.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Good Growing Everyone,
Bo

A 4"-6" diameter plant can go into a 6" / 1 gallon pot intially. You'll probably need to repot into an 8" / 2 gallon pot after about 6 months to one year. I grow mine in long fiber sphagnum. I put a few inches of long fiber in the 8" pot, then take the entire plant and soil ball from the 6" pot and transfer it whole into the 8" pot so that I dont disturb the roots very much. You will need to repot to the next size pot about every 6 months to a year, and you need to stay ahead of the curve, because a bicalc will suddenly start growing smaller if it becomes root bound.

Once the plant starts climbing, you'll want to put it into a pot that will be a more permanent home for a couple of years at a time, since it will become difficult to move it into another pot. This will require a pot in the 15G/25G range.

When it comes to bicalcs, be careful for what you ask for.....

[Bohdisattva]

Hiya Mr. Catalani-

Thanks so, so, much on your pot sizes needed to grow a bical.

I've read that they are tons of bical clones out there, but is there one that is a beast amongst beast? I know on average they grow quite large, but is there a particular clone that is a true MONSTER bical? The reason being, is that I want only a VERY few Neps in my greenhouse and one of them being a T-rex of a bical.

Someone mentioned a bical is like an crocodile, one day, it will outgrow your tub.

Again, thanks so much for your wisdom and experiences.

Good Growing,
Bo