Chep Help!

[Davis]

In January I purchased a Cephalotus which was still in dormancy. In about March it started producing pitchers again. The first one was smaller than the other 2 (which were left over from last year) and had normal coloration. However after a couple weeks it died and shriveled up. The next pitcher that formed was discolored. It was a whitish pink color. It lasted a week or so then died. A second pitcher formed a week ago and has the same discoloration as the last.


Any Ideas what is wrong???


Growing Conditions:
Light: Plant is 6 inches under 4 t5 HO grow lights (6500K)
Temp: Day: 75 F Night: 60 F
Humidity: Day 70% Night 85%
Watering: Tray Method, allowing tray to dry out a bit in between watering

Last years Pitchers:



The first discolored pitcher:




The newest pitcher:

[ICPS-bob]

There is a bit of information missing. What is the soil medium and what water are you using?

[Davis]

The soil looks to be a mix or peat and sand. And I use only distilled water.

[ICPS-bob]

I am no expert, but this might give you some information
www.foxoles.dsl.pipex.com/index.html
www.carnivorousplants.org/seedbank/species/Cephalotus.htm

This suggests that the tray method and keeping too wet might lead to problems.

[ABACUS]

Everything looks okay to me but I usually keep my lights about 18 inches away. It could be that the plants are getting too much light. Also, the plants look like they have a touch of powdery mildew but I'm pretty sure that lights are your problem. Hope this helps ;D

[jesser]

Apr 10, 2011 17:24:26 GMT Davis said:

Light: Plant is 6 inches under 4 t5 HO grow lights (6500K)
Temp: Day: 75 F Night: 60 F
Humidity: Day 70% Night 85%

Did you test the temperature and humidity at the same place as the plant is placed, 6 inches under 4 t5 HO grow lights?

If the numbers of pitchers on the plant is not increasing with time and growth of new pitchers, but for every new growth one old pitcher is dying away, this looks to me like much too low humidity (much lower than 70/85%) as a first guess.

I'd increase lighting distance, too.
And then double check temperature and humidity at the place where the plant grows.

If humidity is really as high as 70/85% and temp is not higher than 75/60F, then the problem might sit below the surface: Perhaps any pests in the substrate? Fungus gnats? Insect larvae?

[Davis]

ICPS-Bob - Thanks for the Links! Very useful info. I will allow the soil to dry up a bit.

ABACUS - I will also try increasing the distance from the lights. And I noticed the powdery mildew as well and am picking up a fan today to hopefully increase the air circulation.

jesser - Yes, I have my thermometer/humidistat at the same level as the plants. I have an ultrasonic humidifier outside the tank that turns on for a couple min every 4 hrs and blows fresh moist air into the terrarium.

I should also add that the rest of my plants are doing great! My Drosera and Neps, including my large N. Lupalupa (N. maxama x((northianaxmaxima) x maxima) which is flowering, are all flourishing! Other than the N. Lupalupa which is 3 feet tall, the rest are about 7 inched under the light as well.

[gardenofeden]

personally I would not grow it in a tank, too humid which encourages fungal diseases