128 replies to this topic

[mantrid]

Richard Bunn, on 01 July 2012 - 17:18 PM, said:

Oh B & C are practically neck and neck all of the sudden. Could the moss be hindering the growth of B?

Yes.

But not sure about the moss it isnt tightly packed and is quite loose. I found that the smaller dense moss that consolidates the surface tends to have an effect on VFT growth.

Also what is also interesting is the consistantly redder traps of the one in perlite. I dont think it is the perlite itself that is affecting the colour as I understand it is an expanded volcanic glass an inert. I think it is possibly due to the slower growth of this plant, so giving more time for the colour to develop before the trap reaches maturity, possibly.

Edited by mantrid, 01 July 2012 - 19:23 PM.

[Morph]

Any nice upd? gonna test this my self (:

[mantrid]

Morph, on 20 July 2012 - 21:48 PM, said:

Any nice upd? gonna test this my self (:

End of the month.

[Richard Bunn]

Mine (in mix B) are doing very well.

[mantrid]

Update.
Cant view the code anymore to edit images. Have to delete image then retype everything. Damn I just used to copy the code from previuos posts and just change the image number.


05/08/2012



01/07/2012



01/06/2012

Edited by mantrid, 10 September 2012 - 11:45 AM.

[mobile]

mantrid, on 05 August 2012 - 20:33 PM, said:

Update.
Cant view the code anymore to edit images. Have to delete image then retype everything. Damn I just used to copy the code from previuos posts and just change the image number

I think you need to use he light switch button at he top of the edit window to select code. Works for me.

[mantrid]

Thanks that great.

[mantrid]

Update.
This will be the last photo of this experiment.

Conclusion
VFTs grown in a mix of peat and pine needles appears to grow better than in the common mix of perlite and peat. Best growth occured in a 50:50 mix. However the experiment was only conducted on single plants for each medium type. A larger group of plants grown in each medium would need to be tested to statistically verify this finding.

Pine needles certainly do not harm the VFTs and can safely be used as a substitute for perlite. If indeed the pine needles are resulting in better growth of the plants then possible reasons for this are given below.

1) It is possible that the needles maintain the acidity of the peat creating a longer lasting, more stable acidic environment around the roots. Unfortunately I did not have any means o testing the pH to confirm this.

2) The pine needles might be slowly decomposing releasing small amounts of nutrients into the peat, sufficient to benefit growth but too low to harm the plant.

3) The filamentous nature of the needles may create better aeration of the peat. It was noticed that the pine needles medium did not compact as much as the perlite medium and remained more more spongy to the touch.

10/09/2012



05/08/2012



01/07/2012

Edited by mantrid, 10 September 2012 - 11:44 AM.

[mkmplants]

Hi Mantrid, I cant see the pictures, can you change the server please?

Really good post!