CP Fertilizer

[stevebooth]

Hi all

This is one to satisfy my own curiosity really, I have read many accounts of CPs in the wild being subject to burning, either by wild fires or those deliberately set as a form of land management.
Now the question, does not the act of burning form ashes and hence potash which is known as a fertilizer. I know that potassium is naturally occurring in small amounts in rain and various rocks etc, but to be made available in relatively large quantities presumably for the next season growth by fire, does this count as fertilizer?
If it does has anyone done tests with potash through the growing season?
Or am i just reading too much into it, as the potash would have become available on a slower time line due to decomposition of the vegetation under natural circumstances?

Thanking you in advance.

Happy growing
Steve

[meadowview]

Hi Steve:

We tested the effects of burned pitcher plant and bog grass residue in aqueous solution on yellow pitcher plant, Sarracenia flava, seedlings and found a significant stimulatory effect. The results are published on the abstracts section of our Research link at www.pitcherplant.org in the abstract called Rare Plants in the classroom and the Toyota Tapestry Grant.

In a way, the results are not surprising for several reasons. Sarracenia evolved within a fire maintained ecosystem where frequent fires would result in the release of nutrients which could be quickly taken up by plants. On a cultural level, the simplest way to fertilize Sarracenia seedlings is to use Osmocote time release fertilizer. We have had great success with Osmocote on Sarracenia seedlings.

Sincerely,

Phil Sheridan
Director
Meadowview Biological
Research Station

[stevebooth]

Hi Phil

Many thanks for that; I shall try a few experiments myself on some seedlings now I know that I probably won’t be condemning them to death.

Great site by the way. I am ashamed to say that I hadn’t heard of your organisation before, my only excuse being that I am a Brit and on the other side of the pond.
I applaud your aims and your education techniques, you are doing a great job and I sincerely hope that you achieve all your objectives!!

Best of luck
Regards
Steve

[meadowview]

Hi Steve:

Good growing!! The CPUK has been a big supporter of ours and has donated generously to our Joseph Pines Preserve. We've also had several visitors and volunteers from the UK, all good chaps.

I've been reviewing the literature on Sarracenia nutrient uptake and it is quite clear to me that these plants are nutrient limited. In a number of cases insect captures could be increased to give the plants the nutrients they need (in other words insect captures may be limiting in the wild depending on species - case in point S. purpurea).

Nutrient limitation is even more dramatic for Sarracenia seedlings and that is why there is such a clear benefit to dilute, or time release nutrient application in cultivation.

Best,

Phil