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Post by insectivore on May 5, 2008 22:03:14 GMT -5
Hey Guys! I'm having a hard time with my pings all but Pirouette of course (its unkillable) And I'm buying a few pings from various people(including Sdeering) and I was wondering how I can avoid root rot or the rotting of the centre of the plant? Heres my "Environment" Humidity: 75-100%(greenhouse) Light: 2x 25" Warm White (plenty to make the droseras red) Temperature: 25night - 31Day Now the harder part, Soil... I've tried so many things, Peat/Vermiculite/perlite (1/1/1), LFS/Perlite/Vermiculite(1/1/1), LFS/Perlite(2/1 and 1/1)(WHATS BEST!?) Watering: This is more of a question do I keep them permanently wet? or water them more like houseplants?(when the soil gets almost dry, water) BTW: These are only for Tropical(mexican) Pings... Sdeering, Syb, DVG maybe one of you can help? (since you guys got good succes with them!) Thanks alot! Cya!
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Post by lloyd on May 5, 2008 22:14:54 GMT -5
I use peat/vermiculite/coase sand/lava rock. I have them in shallow ceramic dishes, mostly unglazed. In the succulent stage, I let them get bone dry before moistening them a little. I definitely let them dry out between watering even in the carnivorous stage. The ones that have a more pronounced succulent stage (like cyclosecta) I keep dryer than the ones that don't (like pirouette).
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Post by insectivore on May 5, 2008 22:16:54 GMT -5
Hey Lloyd, So my ix is fairly ok, I just need to water less often a bit... sounds good! I'll put a bit of sand in the mix too! Cya
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Post by lloyd on May 5, 2008 22:21:39 GMT -5
We should see what dvg says, his pings look great.
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Post by dvg on May 5, 2008 22:25:43 GMT -5
Hi Insectivore. I grow my Mexican pings pretty much in a strictly mineral based substrate.That means I use a combination of vermiculite, perlite, coarse silica sand, lava rock, pumice and even some kanuma (a soft pumice used in bonsai culture with a pH of 5.5). I dont' use any peat or sphagnum or any other organic material in my mix anymore. By using mineral based substrates, you will get a much better root system, although your pings may grow a little slower. For more info on ping soilless recipes, go to : www.pinguicula.org As far as watering goes, I leave mine in 1/2" deep pot saucers. I fill the saucer up and wait for the water to evaporate in it and may even leave it for a day or two. then I fill it up again. Do check out the ping site, there is a lot of good info there. regards, dvg
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Post by dvg on May 5, 2008 22:34:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the vote of confidence Lloyd. I still haven't had a chance to see them yet, with our living in rural Alberta, we're limited to fast dial up for now. Once I get them downloaded, I'll put a name to them all. dvg We should see what dvg says, his pings look great.
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Post by PingKing on May 5, 2008 23:05:28 GMT -5
yup for sure Dvg is the master ping. I grow mine pings in a 2 sand 1 peat medium. They really like fine sand or well drained places i let mines dry for few days specially in the spring; and when summer comes i increase watering; but do not over do it. just make sure the soil is well drained. I think to be on the safe side since you do not have much experience with pings do what Dvg says use pure mineral soil or at least 3-1 sand and peat.
Cheers
Xavier
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Post by dvg on May 6, 2008 0:06:31 GMT -5
I just wanted to add one thing about humidity. Mine is very low. I grow them on my heated, basement floor (boiler infloor heating), under florescent lights. I don't use terrariums or propagation dome covers for my pings. And this is here, in Alberta, where for the most part, we have a fairly dry, low humidity atmosphere. Your plants can adjust to lower humidity levels. Plus, high humidity leads to mold and fungus problems.
regards, dvg
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Post by Syble on May 6, 2008 12:18:54 GMT -5
I have nothing to add but to dispell the "good ping grower" status i have... Although I have good growth on the ones I have, I have indeed managed to kill the unkillable piroutte! Sib
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Post by insectivore on May 6, 2008 17:12:52 GMT -5
Thanks alot for the tips guys, I think I'll try Peat/sand/vermi/perlite(1/1/1/1) havent tried it yet and peter damato uses it and it seems to work... Syb, If you want a pirouette I think titom has someleft if not I got some propagating that seem to be working..!!! (thats if you wanna try to kill anotherone ) Cya and thanks again!
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