Question
Growing environment
What steps should i take to maintain or even improve the health of my plants under these unsatisfactory unconditions? I have just moved from a house into an apartment in Des Moines, IA. Due to the extreme cold (single digits for more than a few weeks) and constant wind, I have had to take my pitchers (S. rubra jonesii & S. leucophylla x flava) and venus flytraps out of dormancy. As shown in the picture, I have them, along with my napenthes and drosera (which are doing really well), under a 2 bulbed florescent light. I've recently added a rotating fan to keep the air circulating. The temp is always around 64-70 degrees F and with a humidity of 65%. White mold has begun to grow heavily on the soil of my S. flava mix and the plant itself seems to be losing its bright colors and most of my venus flytraps are dead (one remains). Ive gotten sulfur based fungicide (Natria*) but I feel as if the condition of my remaining plants will continue to steadily decline if I dont do something. One other thing to add, since moving to this apt, the direction that our balcony and windows face do not receive much direct light at all (im quite disappointed) which is why ive created this terrarium which i know isnt sufficient for these plants after watching several DVDs I have ordered through your site. If individual pictures are needed, I will provide them and thank you so much for whatever advice you may offer.
AnswerHi Brandon,
You can maintain your plants this way. You just need to get more light to them. Consider adding a second fluorescent light assembly, and get your plants closer. The pot with the Purpurea and Flytrap should be elevated so it's within 1 inch of the tubes; you want it close. You can use books, bricks, etc... Do the same with the other plants and adjust as needed for their growth. The shorts plants can do fairly well this way, but the trumpet pitchers will be difficult as they begin to grow. Will you be able to put them outside for the summer? Also, be sure to have the lights on a timer for about a 14 hour day. Keep using the fungicide, and keep the plants damp, but don't let them sit in large amounts of water in their tray. If the mold gets too out of hand, change the soil.
Next year, when dormancy time comes around, once the temperate plants have stopped growing, just place them in a window. Colder the the better. They can finish their dormancy that way. If they start trying to grow, then place them back under the lights.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
