My Ceph Conditions

[sarracenialover]

I've recently ordered a Ceph and have set up the environment.

An ExoTerra Terrarium which has a lot of air circulation and a mesh top. I can cover the top a little, but not all the way. The terrarium is just to increase the humdity a little, but temp should not go up much since the terrarium is fairly open. The terrarium is lighted by the SUN. Temps will never drop below 60F. Plant is on tray system and tray system is allowed to dry for a day between waterings. The photoperiod during winter will give the plants a little bit of rest. Please comment.

Also two questions:
1. Is dormancy required for ceph or nighttime temp drops?
2. How can i ensure that the plant will recieve enough mosture if I'm gone on week long vacations (without giving it too much water and rotting the roots)?

[fredg]

CPLover,

I already had these pics of a leaf cutting.

It's quite healthy.

Apart from those two crowns there's two more down the side of the pot.

No problems with root rot.

And just to show how wet I keep them, this is the 3" pot complete with tide mark.

Yes, the two side crowns are down at water level.

[mabudon]

Mine grow on a windowsill year-round up here in Canada, so the photoperiod naturally fluctuates as do the temps- it seems to appreciate it, but I know folks who do NOT alter the photoperiod OR temps and their plants don't seem to suffer, so I think whatever you can provide should be just fine

[sarracenialover]

Oh, I've decided to grow the plant outside now. I live in the part of California that is in USDA zone 9 so the plant will have really warm days but cool nights and can recieve dormancy. I;ve heard that this plant does not require dormancy really but I believe a good rest would improve the plant for the next year. I've had the plant shaded from the afternoon sun with other garden plants. This would prevent overheated soil. I would say that my warm-temperate climate is similar to the Australian climate in the southwest.

[cindy]

Cephalotus does not have a dormancy period. During summer in the wild, the plant dies back.

[sarracenialover]

Actually, they do. They just don't die back like others. During coller temperatures and lower light levels the plant will slow or stop its growth and will produce more flat leaves rather than pitchers. Dormancy is not really necessary although I allow my plant to get since it may become healthier and produce bigger pitchers the next year.

[Dave Evans]

Cephalotus doesn't have a dormancy. It has a seasonal growth pattern to cope with changing conditions during the year. An example of a plant which does go dormant: Crocus.

[chloroplast]

I've found that Cephalotus appreciate constantly moist but not waterlogged mix which I acheive by putting them in a tray with 1/2" water and letting it dry 2 d before filling it again. If you do this, the plant should be fine for 1 wk while you're on vacation.

They also appreciate cool night temperatures, between 50-70F. They do not require a cold dormancy period and it's best if you keep them from getting below freezing as this will kill the top growth.

Ken

[sarracenialover]

The plant CAN have a dormancy, but it is really just a slow down of growth. I'm just saying it CAN but doesn't have to although some say bigger pitchers can be produced this way.

[fredg]

Jul 23, 2008 17:29:43 GMT chloroplast said:

...................... it's best if you keep them from getting below freezing as this will kill the top growth.

Ken

Not exactly true, my plants go below freezing every winter.

[sarracenialover]

This is likely true, but it's just to be safe to keep the plants a little warmer.

[fredg]

Why?

[sarracenialover]

because I don't them to die