How is this setup?

[jimbonium]

I know it looks awesome! made the lamp from scrap broken ones. The big trap on the left is turning yellow, i assume it will eventually turn black and its been closed since i got it. All the other ones are a solid green but arent active at all which makes me believe its dormant. Anyway ive got a 42w "daylight" cfl in the white reflector and a 23w sort of warm lookin cfl on the other socket. Just want to kno if im on the right track.

It just started snowing couple days ago but since around end of november, the temp on my windowsill has been around 20-25c in the daytime and stays at 15c at night. Im hoping it would lower a bit at winter's peak. Humidity stays between 70-80% but lowers a bit when i crack the window slightly and turn my mini fan on. Is this ok for dormancy?

I gradually increased the light to about 6 hrs since i got it 10 days ago but only put the 42w cfl 2 days ago and since then when i have it on for hours the temp goes up close to 30c. Maybe i can just stick with the 23w for the winter? But i figured if it can store better light now it will grow better in spring.The 23w is 6" away from the plant and the 42w is 7" away.

Im not sure what kind of soil that is.... if anyone can tell me that would be awesome. Ive also kept the water (demineralized) level about 1.5cm in the tray, it would dry out in about 3-4 days at which point i fill it again.

Any tips, advice and comments are appreciated!!!

[prmills]

First, welcome here! If your looking to have it setup for dormancy, look up this thread by Rug

ocps.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=dionaea&action=display&thread=2285

If your looking to grow it through this winter, you'll be fine. With supplementing the sun, you could probably just do with the 42w daylight CFL over it with being 12h/12h on/off. The soil it's in is probably peat moss. In my opinion, it should be good until spring/summer.

[blokeman]

welcome to the forum!

like prmills says, it should be fine growing as you have it for the winter, just move the 42w a little closer to the plant, as the closer the light is to the plant, more energy is directed towards the plant. 4-5 inches should be fine, i don't think it would heat up that much from that close. If ever it flowers over winter, cut it after it gets an inch tall, it will weaken the young plant if you let it grow. Come spring, a couple weeks after the last frost, put it in a west facing location in full sun on the tray system (1 inch always in tray). It wouldn't hurt to repot it into a larger pot (4'') now as well, it helps retain the moisture better and allows the plant to grow a decent root system.

good growing!

[jimbonium]

Thanks guys!!! So even if my plant is dormant now i can increase the light and it will continue to grow through winter? or is it in the wrong conditions to be dormant? Id rather not do the fridge method my family is in n out of that fridge quite a lot and it will definitely get crushed or tampered with. i wouldnt mind growing it through winter, its already been hard just a week and a half of staring at my plant thinkin why cant it be spring already. Oh and if i grow it through winter is it ok on my windowsill? should i put it somewhere warmer at night?

[prmills]

It should be good where it is for the winter. For eventually putting it in the fridge, it can go into a hard container and it won't get bumped around.

[jimbonium]

Awesomeness! I may do the fridge method next winter. I think i have to wait for the new leaves to grow fully tho before i can feed it cus none of the traps are closing at all. Well thanks very much again!!!

[prmills]

That's usually a sign of either lack of light or stress. I would say stress as it's getting use to your conditions vs the store's. Your lighting should be good to get colour out of them

[jimbonium]

this is all so exciting!!! ;D ;D