Ping on a rock

[johnnyfrye]

Hey guys,

I just had the chance (re-organizing my tanks) to take some good-quality pictures of my P. 'John Rizzi', who is growing fabulously on a rock.

I also took some lower-quality snapshots of my bucket 'o dews. Man, it's progressed so much. The Hamiltonii is actually dewy!

That's all, bubs. What do you think?

Edited November 5, 2008 by johnnyfrye

[Carlos Rohrbacher]

Great shot!

It's only rock, no substrate?

Regards.

[johnnyfrye]

Actually, the rock had a tiny bowl-shaped depression on top, so I plopped a tiny bit of sphagnum in there, then stuck in the plant. The ping already had absolutely miniscule (like a centimeter long, max) roots and was lifting itself out of it's old pot, so it was even easier.

[Stefan S.]

Hi!

Very nice picture!

What kind of rock is it growing on and where did you get it form?

I'd like to try something similar too.

Regards,

Stefan

[mrAlmond]

Ping on the rock...it rocks! Wow! :-)

[Carlos Rohrbacher]

Thanks Johnny, I will try too

[johnnyfrye]

Thanks guys!

And I don't really know exactly what kind of rock, but I do know it's porous, dark red in colour, and they're commonly called 'lava rocks' (because they're formed when molten lava cools down. There's lots in Hawaii). I found mine at a friend's house in their garden, and asked if I could have it because of the perfect shape and dimple. You could probably get one at a rock or construction store, or you could just travel to Hawaii.

Once the plant is in there, you put the rock in a shallow dish of RO or distilled water, just like you would a normal plant. Since the rock is porous, it soaks up the water just like dirt in a pot would, and the plant's roots get the moisture. It be awesome.

Edited November 6, 2008 by johnnyfrye

[mantrid]

Thanks guys!

And I don't really know exactly what kind of rock, but I do know it's porous, dark red in colour, and they're commonly called 'lava rocks' (because they're formed when molten lava cools down. There's lots in Hawaii). I found mine at a friend's house in their garden, and asked if I could have it because of the perfect shape and dimple. You could probably get one at a rock or construction store, or you could just travel to Hawaii.

Once the plant is in there, you put the rock in a shallow dish of RO or distilled water, just like you would a normal plant. Since the rock is porous, it soaks up the water just like dirt in a pot would, and the plant's roots get the moisture. It be awesome.

If its volcanic and porus then its probably some type of pumice. People also use it as an abrasive to remove the manky dried skin of their feet. It can probably be bought at Boots or some other chemist/pharmacy type place.

Edited November 6, 2008 by mantrid

[Dicon]

I don't think the type of rock is of much importance, so long as it is slightly porous it will provide the roots with moisture.

I'm sure the PH may matter dependant upon species......the ping experts will know I'm sure.

I have P esseriana (which is easy) and It grows like a weed for me and on just about anything, it particularly likes driftwood....no soil or moss needed!

[Rob-Rah]

I can recommend growing Mexican pings on tufa rock standing in water. Works a treat. Tufa is easily available in most aqaurium shops.

[jimscott]

Looks like a thriving colony of U. subulata with the D. hamiltoni

[johnnyfrye]

Yeah, I have no bloody idea how the Utricularia got in there. It was just plain potting mix originally, then I planted some sundews, and before I knew it half the pot is covered in U. Subulata. It's kind of cool, really.

[jimscott]

AS was once explained to me by an experienced hobbyist, you probably received it from someone else, unwittingly and unintentionally, along with the intended plants.