Jump to content

problems keeping my Cephalotus happy


lesthegringo

Recommended Posts

Guys, originally it was in my heated greenhouse with my Nepenthes, where it would get misted daily. It put out adult leaves, but these quickly died back, which I think was due to the heat being a bit much for it - Heliamphoras and Sarras grow in there too, though so it isn't that hot. Anyway, I also wondered whether it was getting too much water.

 

As a result, I have put it outside with most of my sarras and my VFT's, where it gets sun in the morning, and is watered daily but does not sit in a tray of water. Daytime temperatures are between 15 and 25 degrees, nightime as low as 10. Despite this, it continues to struggle. It is watered only with rainwater, for info. All my other plants are flourishing, it's only the poor little Ceph that's looking sick, so any suggestions would be welcome.

 

Les

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guys, originally it was in my heated greenhouse with my Nepenthes, where it would get misted daily. It put out adult leaves, but these quickly died back, which I think was due to the heat being a bit much for it - Heliamphoras and Sarras grow in there too, though so it isn't that hot. Anyway, I also wondered whether it was getting too much water.

 

As a result, I have put it outside with most of my sarras and my VFT's, where it gets sun in the morning, and is watered daily but does not sit in a tray of water. Daytime temperatures are between 15 and 25 degrees, nightime as low as 10. Despite this, it continues to struggle. It is watered only with rainwater, for info. All my other plants are flourishing, it's only the poor little Ceph that's looking sick, so any suggestions would be welcome.

 

Les

 

Hi Les,

 

It should do fine if outside under cover.  Our current weather has not be kind to Cephs due to sudden changes between fairly warm and cold spells.  If your plant has been too wet over winter it may need to dry out a little.  Just keep it moist and see if it responds.  Most of my plants have also been a bit slow to grow properly this year, although my seedlings are doing well.  When it warms up you can keep it in a tray of water, but just change the water occasionally and give it regular time of not standing in water.

 

I keep mine in an open hot house at this time of year, which allows me to control the amount of water they get and protects them from the wind.  If we get a cold snap I close it up.  At this time of year a little dilute fertiliser also helps if sprayed on the leaves.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"problems keeping my Cephalotus happy" - Only on CPUK could one find such a title :chiffa:

 

No experience with Cephs but I would have thought that they would be happier with a bit of seasonality - which they wouldn't get in a typical Nep house. I would consider keeping them a little drier and exposing them to 'the weather'.

 

It's always worth, with any plant, playing around (within reason) with things.

 

I never had any success with some Madagascan Orchids until I stopped treating them as tropical. Now, on an East facing windowsill in a cool room in Northern England,  they do just fine and have started growing 'properly'.
Then again, in Madagascar, they don't grow in pots or LECA either. My Paph philippinense hybrid managed to do nothing for a decade until I stopped treating it as a tropical. On my kitchen windowsill, with my 'Madagascan Orchid' it is now throwing up flowers.
 
Never quite sure what constitutes Winter in Melbourne - I know it isn't Darwin but I'll bet it isn't Leeds (UK) either

 

Anyhoo. My point here is that bit of experimentation is often the way to go with a particular plant that isn't doing what it should. Try something different.

Edited by Hud357
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Marcus.

For info, what fertiliser do you use? I'm wary of using something that will damage the plants, and am looking for one I can use for all my carnivorous plants.

Cheers

 

I use Miracle-Gro for Natives (Australian) and Acid loving plants (Azaleas and Camellias) at a tenth of the recommended concentration.  Unfortunately it seems that they have stop making it, so you would need to source something similar.  However, it is not necessary.  Another alternative is to feed the pitchers using small flies, or pin-head crickets.  If the insects are too big, the pitchers tend to rot, so care must be taken.  I used to use native royal ants, but I lost too many pitchers.  The small Argentine ants may be a better alternative, and then at least you are using a pest species.

 

For general use on carnivorous plants you are probably better off using coffee grounds, but I don't know if it is as effective or as safe for Cepsh as it is for Sarras and Neps.

Edited by Marcus B
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...