dennisB

Hi Having taken some seed from my one and only ibicella last year and having seen various advice on germinating ibicella seed, I thought I would carry out a small trial. I divided the seed into 5 groups of 6 seeds each. Prior to planting in sarracenia mix in my heliamphora growing area: Group 1 was planted without prior treatment. Group 2 was soaked in water for 24 hours. Group 3 was soaked in water for 48 hours. Group 4 was soaked in boiling water that was then let to cool for 48 hours. Group 5 was lightly sanded before being soaked in water for 48 hours. The results were as follows: ...............................................Group .............................................1 2 3 4 5 Germination after 1 weeks : 0 1 1 0 5 Germination after 2 weeks : 1 1 2 0 6 Germination after 3 weeks : 1 2 4 0 6 While I appreciate this was not a truly "scientific" trial, I thought the results were interesting in suggesting that light sanding of the seed and then soaking was the best method and boiling water the worst. Does anyone with more experience than me have results that agree with or conflict with these results? Cheers Dennis

I'll be there on Saturday Mike DennisB

After 12 years of growing CPs I've got a Nep flowering for the first time too. Its a gentle too (I think). It would be good if we had one of each gender so that they could get it together! Dennis

Hi folks I've recently obtained a few small immaculata. Does anyone have any tips on growing it? I know it produces succulant, non carnivorous leaves in winter so can I treat it the same as gypsicola? Cheers Dennis

Hi just make sure you are fit! Climbing the mountain isn't technically difficult but it is hard physically and with temperatures in the 80s+ and with 80%+ humidity it can be demanding (especially if, like me, you are somewhat unfit). Make sure you leave enough time to get through the bureaucracy of getting your permit to climb the mountain particularly if you are going all the way to the top on the overnight trip. The plant nursery is also worth a visit. Good luck Dennis

Great sight Andy - well wrth all the trouble and expense.Dennis

Hi I have a recently acquired sarra labelled as "Walker's Hybrid". Anyone know what it might be? Dennis

Hi all One of my H. nutans has a pitcher growing about hal way up a flower stemthought you might like to see this oddity that I noticed yesterday on one of my nutans. Has anyone seen this before? Would it be possible to get it to root? Dennis

Hi I grow many sarracenia species outdoors. The only thing I would add to what has already been said is that they tend to be 3 to 4 weeks later than green house plants in coming into new growth. Otherwise no problems and you get little or no sooty mould. Dennis

I've had similar results with gypsicola cuttings. MY problem was keeping them alive during dormancy. I divided them into two lots. One of which I kept dry and the other just damp. Both lots died. Anyone have any suggestions on how to keep such small plants going through their first dormant period? Dennis

Hi I've noticed that sarras grown outside do not get sooty mould. I guess therefore that if air circulation can be increased and humidity/ temperatures decreased in the greenhouse that would help solve the problem. I'm going to try removing the topmost panes of glass from the sides of my main sarra house (while hoping that a strong wind won't take the roof off). Dennis

I agree. I don't find it necessary to stratify seeds in a refridgerator even here in sunny South Devon. I sow in late December in an unheated greenhouse and get near 100% germination (not that I've every counted). I guess if you lived in a warm temperate or sub tropical area, the fridge method would be necessary. Dennis

Well here in sunny South Devon I have some outside where they withstand what we like to call a hard winter - occasional frost and even a light snow covering this year - with no protection.Those in the unheated greenhouse look much healthier at this time of year and don't get pulled out by blackbirds. Dennis

I also use soil warming cables in two 6' x 2' x 4' high insulated areas in a greenhouse - both with thermostatic controllers. I have 36 ft cables in each tank and can maintain temperatures easily. The cables are buried in about 2 inches of sand which is kept permanently wet. This maintains humidity at around 60-70% on a sunny day - higher on cooler days and at night. Reasonably economical to run too! Dennis

Rob you have vulgaris. Dennis

Hi all just got back from holiday in Ireland and while checking over the greenhouses (my daughter has been looking after them while I've been away) I noticed that a dichotoma leaf that had drooped into an adjacent water tray has developed around a dozen small plants on the surface of the submerged leaf. This is new to me but I'm sure not to others. The leaf itself is now starting to rot and the plantlets have no roots as yet. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should treat the plantlets from now on. My first thought is to place them on live sphagnum. Dennis

Equally sunny Devon. Dennis