|
|
Post by coldcoffee on May 22, 2012 2:58:44 GMT
Why, Nepenthes seedlings, of course! Bah! |
|
|
|
Post by simonv on Jun 26, 2012 11:30:10 GMT
Are these little traps functional and catch tiny insects? If so, are they an important way for tiny new seedlings get a nitrogen boost to kick them along, early in life, and if so is it therefore important to provide newly germinated seedlings with a tiny first meal (I've currently got cultures of hundreds of drosophila which look to about right if I have the scale right)? Can I ask how old these seedlings are?
|
|
|
|
Post by paulbarden on Jun 26, 2012 13:12:41 GMT
Simon, At that size, Nepenthes seedlings are virtually impossible to hand feed, believe me. It is generally accepted that once seedlings do reach a size where you can get small insects into the pitchers, they respond with an advance in growth. You CAN apply very dilute orchid fertilizer (urea free formula only) to small seedlings, but if you start promoting algae growth by doing so, then stop and flush the pots with clean water. Growing Nepenthes from seed is definitely an exercise in patience; I have N. bongso seedlings that are nine months old now and the majority have yet to exceed 0.5" in diameter. (a couple are over an inch across now, but only 2 or 3 out of 50) I'm not sure there is much you can do to accelerate seedling growth, but if there are tried and true ways to do so, I hope more experienced forum members will share such info. :-) Paul nitrogenseekers.wordpress.com |
|
|
|
Post by simonv on Jun 26, 2012 13:35:57 GMT
I don't think I'd try to hand feed them, Paul. I reckon I'd just release a swarm of Drosophila into the ziplock bag 'greenhouse' they are in and then let nature take its course. That's why I asked whether the trap is fucntional because if so would it not exude some of the same attractants that adult pitchers do and in doing so lure the tiny insects into the pitchers by themselves? Or can cultures of things like springtails be encouraged to grow in the pots with them? I was thinking that there must be a reason these tiny pitchers are made and maybe its to provide that initial kick to get them established, rather than speeding up their growth... just helping them 'stamp their claim' on life. After years of growing cactus from seed... patience is something I've got down pat  |
|
