Nigel H-C

Hi All, I was fortunate to have a few bugs from Phil Wilson after the EEE, and like Vic I have seen them mating on a few occasions, and have also seen them laying eggs under the bark of the plant. One of them seems to have died in this position! I haven't had any hatch yet, but hopefully when the weather improves they'll make an appearence, and I'll infect the rest of the plants with them. Nigel H-C

At last, a flower on a S. flava var. maxima. As yesterday was pretty good and the forecast for the next few days is mild, I flooded the benches for the first time, and the mice had only bitten through one 20 foot section , which I noticed when I walked in and saw water pouring on to the floor. We even had rain over night, which is good as I'm running at half capacity at the moment. Nigel

Hi Giancarlo, Unfortunately, as you have seen I have far too many plants to illuminate. I've got to rely on the sun-which incidentally is shining this morning! Nigel

The problem is I have my first display mid May, and if the plants aren't ready, it could give me real problems. If it wasn't for that, I'd agree that they are best left as they are-they'll soon catch up! Nigel

Hi Mike, Oddly enough, I've been heating some of the plants (not in the nursery greenhouse), for a few weeks, and still nothing. Last year I tried to bring on some plants, but once the weather warmed up and we saw more of the sun (does anyone remember this!), the plants in the unheated nursery overtook those I was heating! Today has been pretty good weather-wise, and I'm hoping that the recent drab spell is over. I know its supposed to be good for the next couple of days. Nigel

Wandering around the nursery at lunchtime, I still can't see a single flower emerging from any of the Sarry's. I normally see something happening on at least a few plants by mid January, and have even seen flower buds prior to new year in the past. Obviously, this winter is colder than we've had for a few years, but has anyone seen any growth yet? Hope they perform soon, I've got to start displaying them in just over 3 months time! :? Nigel H-C

Yes, let it do it's own thing! The first year mine tried to flower it was very small and in the end aborted. However, it's flowered every year since, and is definately one of the most spectacular Drosera flowers you will see. A word of warning though-in the 4 or 5 years it's flowered, I've only ever caught 2 or 3 fully open. It seems to be one of those species which opens for only a short time around the middle of the day. Worth the wait though. Nigel H-C

I've had mine for a few weeks now and it seems to be fine. For now it's just in sphagnum with a Nepenthes villosa getting fairly low temperatures, with as much meagre sun as we are getting at the moment! Okay until spring and warmer temperatures, when it will need moving somewhere more conducive to cold growing. Nigel H-C

Hi Greg, I grow mine as D. cistiflora, and one of them (I think there are now two in the pot) has flowered for the past 3-4 years. They like a very sandy mix (5 parts sand to 1 part peat), and try to give them a large pot as this will help ensure that they don't dessicate in the summer months. Over the summer dormant period they receive periodic watering, just to maintain a bit of moisture in the base of the pot, but never enough to wet the compost through completely. I may only do this every 4-6 weeks (if I remember!) When they show signs of life (mine are just moving now) I stand them in water for their growing season. They seem to appreciate as much light as possible, and mine are usually under a 400w metal halide light which I managed to smash the other week, so I've decided to see how they and my other winter growers do without the extra light. Having said that, my new greenhouse receives the winter sun, which at my old place it didn't so they will hopefully still perform okay. When they die back I remove them from the water and let them start to dry out for the summer. Good luck, as it's a spectacular plant. Which colour flower do your plants have, or do you not know yet?! N

I'm in a beautiful village just outside Glastonbury (in Somerset for those unfamiliar with our geography), with views over to Glastonbury Tor and the Mendip Hills Nice!!! N

Hi Langy, As I remember, mine used to emerge slightly later than now-more like November. I say 'used' as my 3 clones were about the only plants I lost during the move last year :cry: , apart from a few Sarry's in the nursery that dried out a bit too much. Replacing them soon though I would keep them completely dry during the summer, and like the tuberous Drosera introduce water when they emerge. I guess they didn't appreciate the upheaval of moving, which was a shame as I'd had one of them for about 8 years. N

Just seen this! Big 30 earlier this year.

Does anyone have a surplus copy of Roger Shivas' book Pitcher Plants of Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore? It was published in about 1984, and I really wish I'd got it when it was available! :cry:

As the old adage goes regarding an ounce of prevention, I would recommend a regular spray with a systemic fungicide throughout the winter months-especially in greenhouses which have no ventilation. My personal collection is squeezed in to a 12 x 8 foot greenhouse. I divide it in half with bubble insulation, heat the back half for the tender plants, and let the front go cold for the Sarracenias which haven't been banished to the nursery. It works well but obviously I can't have doors or windows open for fear of allowing the warmer half to get too cold. I also don't have the time to mess around opening and closing doors all day! A 3-4 weekly spray with fungicide keeps the Botrytis at bay. Another good tip is to install a circulation fan to keep the air moving. Of course if Sarracenias, Cobra's, vft's, and cold tolerant Drosera's are all you have in your greenhouse, throw caution to the wind and leave doors and windows open. I never close one of the polytunnels-it freezes solid every year (though not so much this year!), and the little protection it affords the plants is nore than sufficient. Be aware though of dessication as someone else mentioned-your plants will dry out more quickly. Be sure to keep a little moisture in the pots.

Make sure you actually remove a 'v' shaped wedge out of the rhizone-don't just cut in to it. Cut to about half way, and then dust with sulphur or spray with a systemic fungicide. Hope this helps.

I grow carnivorous plants!!!!! Can you believe that???!!! I also run a business supplying exhibition stands, which is my main job.