Drosera5150

Hello Friends, I've just returned from spending several days in the field with reknowned CP filmakers Siggi and Irmgard Hartmeyer. In a joint collaborative effort between the ICPS and the Hartmeyers, we are producing our latest conservational film which covers many hundreds of miles of CP habitats and many of the North American CP species and their status in the wild. Particularly of interest is the continued poaching of the Tate's Hell, Fl. Sarracenia leucophylla for the floral industry. We begin part two of filming in the next few days, after a much needed rest. So until then, here's a small photo sample of some of the areas covered. Stay tuned for more! Happy Growing, Brian Barnes, ICPS Director of Conservation

Hello Friends, Well, it looks like Spring has sprung...in Florida at least! ;D Here's a few fast shots of my D. ascendens X schwackei in flower. A special thanks to Dani O. for letting me grow this fantastic hybrid. ;)

He/she does publicly state that it is their own land. But...unfortunately, producing definitive poaching evidence may be quite difficult. I'm sending him/her a series of rather......interesting...questions. ;) I'll keep everyone posted... Brian Barnes, ICPS Director of Conservation

Hello Francois, This truly is gut-wrenching news, although I do appreciate you keeping us informed. Also, I'm very pleased that this fantastic species is in cultivation and will be propagated through the Ark of Life project. Without your generosity, this plant truly would not have had any hope of possible reintroduction someday. Thanks for rescuing this one for us Socky, it is deeply appreciated. You're definitely a botanical hero of sorts... Happy Growing, Brian Barnes ICPS Director of Conservation

Hello Friends, Here's a few more quick shots of one of my Heliamphora chimantensis plants. The cooler temperatures are assisting in coloring them up a little more... ;)

Hello Friends, Here's a few quick shots of one of my Heliamphora sp. 'Angasima' plants, with emphasis on the nectar spoon. Please enjoy! :) Brian

Hello Friends, As promised, today begins posting of the Heliamphora species within my collection. Other Heliamphora growers please feel free to post photos of said species as well if you have them! I think we can make an awesome thread by doing so... :) Happy Growing, Brian

Those are looking good! Thanks for sharing them with us, Brian

Nice looking plant, Ron! It's coming along nicely... Happy Growing, Brian

Hey Guys, For some reason, it won't let me post photos here, so here's a link to some photos of said Heliamphora species I just put up on the ICPS Forum. http://icps.proboards.com/index.cgi?action...4484&page=1 In regards to various coloration of different species, it plays a definite role in proper species identification, especially 'in situ'. Otherwise, many species tend to look alike when grown in less than optimal conditions. Happy Growing, Brian

Hello! Here's a good place to start for cultivation tips... http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39779 Happy Growing, Brian

Hey Friends, Here's a few quick shots of D. prolifera in flower. :) More of the "Three Sisters" to follow soon! Happy Growing, Brian

Thanks everyone! Yes, I do believe in feeding, especially with D. schizandra as I can definitely tell the difference! Here's a few growth tips for this picky "sister"... Feeding; I use a primordial soup of sorts, consisting of crushed fresh (frozen) bloodworms mixed with a little RO water and the "soup" is applied to the leaves with an eyedropper every two weeks. The liquid is absorbed directly, without risk of mold and each leaf gets two drops of liquid only. Media; Loose live sphagnum with a little perlite. I do not allow the media to become compacted, as the roots seem to like it a bit airy. I prefer shallow, wide pots to allow surface room for plantlets to be created from the adventurious roots. This also helps to keep things cool. Watering; I've heard of some growing them wet and some folks growing them drier. Here in tropical Florida, mine respond best when the media is kept just barely damp at all times. I may water once every week or two and never saturate the compost. Just enough to keep the dampness present... and nothing more. I also grow them inside under a T5 lighting system on a red and blue spectrum bulb mix, in one of my Heliamphora chambers. Photoperiod is 12 hours with bulbs residing 12 inches or better above the plants. Humidity; 100% at all times. I grow mine in a large glass punchbowl that is covered at all times with a clear glass punchbowl. Without high 90-100% humidity, my plants begin to suffer within days. One of the biggest signs is plants whose leaves keep getting smaller and smaller, along with less dew and withered tentacles/glands. Temperatures; Winter = 60F - 73 F. They grow best in Winter for me. Summer = 72F - 78F. I never let them go above 80F at any given time. In my conditions, it doesn't work. I have to constantly think "highlander" to be successful... ; ) I also grow D. prolifera the same way with great results, although they tolerate temps above 80F much better. I hope these tips help those interested in growing this magnificent gem! Happy Growing, Brian