My New Cephalotus Follicularis Hummer's Giant

[mmorehead]

Hello everyone!

I am just getting started with carnivorous plants, and wanted to share my new Cephalotus Follicularis with you. I am considering building a terrarium for it, but I haven't a clue where to begin if one is needed. I would be extremely grateful for any info, advice or input.

The gentleman I purchased it from had been growing it in a terrarium. There is a root growing out of the bottom of the pot, and was told that it would need repotted. Any repoitting tips would also be appreciated.

I'm currently keeping it with some of my orchids in a room with a 4' quad T8, as well as 4' x 2 T12 fluorescent fixtures for lighting. Temprature averages around 82 degrees in the day, 72 at night with 60-70% humidity. I placed it in an 8" plastic dish filled with rocks with rain water in the base, making sure the water wasn't touching the bottom of the pot. I simply did this for the humidity factor thinking it needed high humidity from my research. Is this temprature range and light set up favorable? Am I on the right track?


This is such a wonderful plant, and I want to do everything I can to help it thrive. Thanks for taking the time to help a newbie!

Here are links to some pictures of the plant:
i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...de3e57871e.jpg

i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...60288011b1.jpg

i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...f637427f2b.jpg

i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...9e69500238.jpg

i331.photobucket.com/albums/l...5dc18fdf96.jpg

[ICPS-bob]

First, your photo links were shortened. For long links use the URL button (3rd from left on bottom row [world icon]).

Cephalotus are very sensitive to disturbance. Repotting will set them back for some time. If you can replicate the conditions that the "gentleman" was using, the plant should be happy.

A great place for Cephalotus information is
www.aqph26.dsl.pipex.com/index.html

[Brassleaves]

From my experience humidity isn't that big of a factor. Mine stay at about 40%-50% humidity. Your lighting fixture and temperature range sound great, though; I would lower the day and night temps (by 10-15 degrees F) for a couple of months to give it a artificial season change. The plants will grow fine without this but it's a great way to get them to flower.

As for the repotting, I would cut the root coming out of the pot off and try and get it to sprout another plant by planting it in some like medium. Don't attempt to repot your Ceph until it is adjusted and happy with your growing conditions. And above all, be patient. Congrats on your new plant!

[Brassleaves]

P.S. mmorehead can you repost your links? The link is broken and the properties of the link is showing the ellipsis in the URL.