matwag

Hello Johan, your set up sounds incredible, is there any chance you could post some photos on here? In answer to your algae question I'm assuming your water circulation system is self contained and is just topped up to allow for evaporation. In which case it might be helpful to test the water for nitrate and phosphate levels using a cheap aquarium test kit as it's possible that these nutrients have accumulated over time in this closed system to high levels, both of which are factors in encouraging nuisance algae. If these levels are significantly high then you could consider changing the water on a regular basis to dilute these nutrients and hopefully slow down the algae's progress. In answer to your question about something to grow up the walls that'd cope with the conditions I think Ficus pumila would be worth a try as it's robust and adaptable, looks pleasant and is easily grown. It forms roots all along it's stems as it climbs and would grow well up your cork background eventually out competing the algae and stripping away excess nutrients as the water circulated over it's roots a bit like a living filter. Another one that you may like to consider is Lysimachia nummularia, though this is a common garden plant I have used it before in terrariums as it is so adaptable and will happily grow in a wide range of conditions from semi aquatic to well drained, it's a truly versatile plant. Lastly in my opinion Syngonium podophyllum would be a good choice as you could grow it at the base of your background and it would eventually climb using aerial roots, you often see it grown up moss poles, I think it'd happily cope with your conditions. All the plants I've suggested are readily available and cheap so perhaps worth a try. Hope this helps :) Best wishes Matwag

What you're saying makes a lot of sense Welshy as I've sown half of the seed in tiny improvised propagators and the other half have been sown in a hanging pot inside the terrarium both on finely chopped sphagnum moss, all are sharing a common light source and are at the same temperature but the germination rate inside the terrarium so far is now 5 times higher at 15 seedlings compared with those in the propagators which are ventilated twice a day. I've had absolutely no mould at all within the terrarium which has a fan on 24/7 compared to about 10 mouldy seeds inside the propagators which get removed straight away. I know it's too early to be able to draw conclusions so early on but they're interesting observations to note so far :)

So far so good then, though admittedly I have had a couple go mouldy but removed them straight away :)Best wishes Matthew

Hooray, that's great news, may it be the first of many :)

Another 6 have popped up. Fingers crossed they don't damp off. What conditions have you sowed them under?Best wishes Matthew

Thanks to everyone for trying out my spare seed, I hope you'll keep the forum updated on your progress. I'm pleased to say that I have one seedling germinated at the moment :) Best wishes Matwag

He even had me looking too...but I still can't find it :)

Hello, there are a couple of packets still available if you fancy having a go:) each one contains approximately 50 seeds. Pm me if you're interested in giving them a try. Best wishes Matwag

That's brilliant, we'll be able to compare results, it'll be interesting to see what happens :) Best wishes Matwag

Yesterday I received some mixed N ampullaria seed from a a well known auction site whose seller I believe has mixed feedback from reading some of your comments on this forum. With this in mind and having sown all that I need I thought some of you might like to have a try with this batch of seed also and ultimately compare results later on. If anybody would like to have a go with the surplus seed then just send me a pm, it won't cost you anything except your time but please note due to postage costs I can only send within the UK unless postage is paid before hand. Best wishes :) Matwag

Thank you both for the nice comments :) Hi Kiwano, I'd probably say it's an intermediate terrarium as the temperatures do tend to hover between highland and lowland conditions but it does have a cable heater fitted to keep it stable during the winter. The N glabrata seems to really enjoy these conditions and has tripled in size as it was tiny when I got it and is one of my favourites. The humidity runs at about 95% with the lights running for 14 hours a day and the misters coming on once an hour for 10 seconds during the day but I purposely made the terrarium totally automated as I'm a bit slack sometimes when it comes to watering and stuff :)Best wishes Matwag

Hello Icarus, have you got any close up photos of the damage you could show us to double check? Thanks Matwag

That's a very good answer. Now what am I going to do with these fifty bottles of invigorator I've got knocking about....... :)

Right so here are a few close ups of the plants:) http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/uploads/gallery_9015_851_17100.jpg Nepenthes ventrata http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/uploads/gallery_9015_851_363490.jpg Nepenthes Bloody Mary http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/uploads/gallery_9015_851_670430.jpg Nepenthes glabrata http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/uploads/gallery_9015_851_54396.jpg Nepenthes aristolochiodies x ventricosa http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/uploads/gallery_9015_851_704594.jpg View inside of some of the plants. http://www.cpukforum.com/forum/uploads/gallery_9015_851_362606.jpg All the equipment is hidden away in the cabinet underneath the terrarium. Best wishes:) Matwag

Hello Icarus, is there any chance you could post any photos you may have of damage if any caused to the leaves of your Nepenthes or other symptoms? Regards Matwag