prmills
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The Growth Chamber
Posts: 57
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Post by prmills on Dec 22, 2007 23:38:19 GMT
Hey all, I've been growing my single VFT typical since mid-october when I bought it. I've got good light over it (2 dual 24" fixtures side by side -3 daylight and 1 kitchen and bath bulbs - and no, I've got other plants under there too ). I started having the light about 8 inches above, then down to 12, then up to 5 inches away. The closer the plant the better the colour, but is there an ideal distance?? I also figured it was not going to be stong enough for dormancy so I'm trying to grow it until next winter dormancy, hope it survives My other question is the leaves. I remember reading somewhere that there was a differance between spring and summer leaves, but for the life of me I can't find it again... Did my mind make this up or is it true?? If true, anyone got pics of the same plant w/the different leaves? -Thanks-
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Post by Aidan on Dec 22, 2007 23:44:47 GMT
In short, the more light the better.
In general terms, spring/summer leaves are tall, slim and upright. Autumn/winter leaves are short, wide and decumbent. However, not all plants adhere to this rule and some may for example appear as decumbent rosettes all year.
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Post by Brian Barnes on Dec 23, 2007 14:28:42 GMT
Hello! I grow a very wide variety of CP under lights. For my Dionaea, my plants give me good color at 5 to 6 inches away from the bulbs, on a 14 hr. photoperiod. Also, different forms will give you more or less coloration, depending on the form you've chosen to grow... In my opinion, the forms "B-52" and "Big Mouth" color the best under lights. The "all red" forms seem to do best in natural sunlight. I'm currently running 4-40w Ott-lites on mine... Cudos! Brian.
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wadave
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He don't know me vewy well do he?
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Post by wadave on Dec 24, 2007 6:00:09 GMT
What makes you think your plant won't be strong enough to survive dormancy?
It sounds like it is doing well if it is colouring up nicely, and if so it would make for a healthier plant if you let it go through it's natural dormant period.
If you can post a photo it would really help.
Dave.
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prmills
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The Growth Chamber
Posts: 57
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Post by prmills on Dec 24, 2007 21:38:09 GMT
Well, I got the plant from a local grocery store in mid october. I was under the impression that since it is not known how they were handled previously or where abouts they are in their "scheduel" of things, to let it grow until it naturally goes into dormancy, unless you force it. I thought that since it came from the store at this time of year it would not be strong enough for the winter either. But anyways, the first pic is from today, and the other is from a few days ago. It looks alot better now then when I bought it. Best coloured leaf on the plant, but one of the smallest
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wadave
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He don't know me vewy well do he?
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Post by wadave on Dec 26, 2007 13:11:46 GMT
It's still got it's erect summer leaves so I'm guessing it's not ready for dormancy just yet.
If it starts to grow shorter, ground hugging traps and the weather is still cold then let it go dormant. From my limited experience the most important aspect is your growing conditions.
If your conditions are poor and the plant is weak then chances are it won't make it though dormancy without rotting.
I can't see anything obviously wrong with your plant.
Dave.
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Post by Brian Barnes on Dec 26, 2007 20:51:54 GMT
For Heavens' sake man, give it some light!! ;D It could use alot more, in my opinion. You might want to keep from over-watering for a bit as well and see how she does. Otherwise, nice plant with some good potential! Kudos, Brian.
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wadave
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Post by wadave on Dec 27, 2007 3:34:26 GMT
Hi Brian,
It may help prmills to know why you say the plant needs more light?
I hesitated in making the same suggestion due to the fact that I didn't know for sure if it wasn't the type of VFT that turns a yellowish green when it's exposed to lots of good light.
Though in all reality most newbies fail to give their plants enough light, I know I was one of those, so the advice would generally be good advice.
Dave.
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prmills
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The Growth Chamber
Posts: 57
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Post by prmills on Dec 28, 2007 3:36:35 GMT
How much light are we talking? I thought I had enough What I have now is as follows in 2 dual 24" T12 20 watt fixtures: Total Lumens: 4350 Colour: 1 @ 3000k and 3 @ 6500k CRI: 1 @ 70 and 3 @ 75 I know the lumens is on the low side, but it is for a 24" area. If it were a 48" area the lumens would double (I imagine) to 8700. The light fixture I have now is 24" long and 12" deep, should I remove the middle section where the ballasts are and place 2 more bulbs there (one per mid section)? or do I overdrive the current bulbs and get stronger ballasts?? But how much of this light contributes to the 3" (plant/pot) section that is 5" away from it? Or maybe I'm just confuselled and need more sleep.... oh, by the way I think this is a typical VFT, nothing special.
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Post by Brian Barnes on Dec 28, 2007 10:49:20 GMT
How long of a photoperiod are you giving it?
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Post by Aidan on Dec 28, 2007 16:10:55 GMT
It perhaps varies a little from clone to clone, but providing sufficient light for Dionaea to develop good colour under fluourescent tubes is difficult. I use fluourescent panels that pump out 20,000 lumens and for a brief period kept some all-red plants under them... until new growth came up green.
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prmills
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The Growth Chamber
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Post by prmills on Dec 29, 2007 1:10:57 GMT
I had them on a 12 hour photo period, but upped it a few days ago to 13. My biggest trap is 3/4 of an inch and the trigger hairs have finally turned red after about a month under these conditions. It has been 5 inches away for these last 2 weeks. Here are pics of the set up from tonight. This is the over all set up This is the light fixture as is now taken w/a forced flash This is the VFT as is now
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Post by Brian Barnes on Dec 29, 2007 3:17:36 GMT
In my opinion, i would try moving the plant a few inches closer to the lights. You'd be surprised how many foot candles are lost in just a few inches of space! Brian.
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wadave
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Post by wadave on Dec 29, 2007 7:48:44 GMT
Is there any chance you are able to grow it outside once winter is over?
That should solve any issues you might have with sufficient light levels.
Dave.
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prmills
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The Growth Chamber
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Post by prmills on Dec 29, 2007 16:35:44 GMT
Thanks guys. I'll move it closer to the lights and see how that does. For outside, I'll try once I get a few more. It stays pretty dry here, summer sun is long and often hot, not compared to some of you I'm sure My current pot has three plants in it so maybe I'll seperate them and put one outside to see how she does. Thanks for your help!
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