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Post by Maiden on Sept 1, 2014 0:14:08 GMT -5
*Calling all heliamphora growers*
In the next few days, we will experiment a massive heat wave in eastern Canada. We expect 30C+, 38C with RH%.
Even with my A/C running like crazy next to my setup, i have trouble getting my terrariums temps below 25C.
I have no choice, i have to close my T5s. With the lights closed i reach 23C. I have to let the whole thing in the dark shade, until next week-end. I evaluate my helis collection at 1500$ and i will be sick if i lose a single plant.
I want to know how you guys deal with that kind of temperatures.
Damn heat wave!
FB.
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Post by vraev on Sept 1, 2014 1:50:07 GMT -5
Not Really a Heliamphora grower, but I just let the plants rough through it. Not else much to be done. Back in the day I used an AC dedicated to the plants. But not anymore. I an considering trying some new ideas.' Based on watercooling for computer components
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Post by cory on Sept 1, 2014 6:58:53 GMT -5
maiden you have already found the exact solution I use. If my enclosures start topping 80* F. I shut my lights off. It's already been hot enough here this year my house AC can't keep the house below that. You probably won't get your drop at night either but for a few days they will be ok. Been through this a few times with power outages and such.
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Post by shoggoths on Sept 1, 2014 8:55:05 GMT -5
I do nothing special.
Temp as reach 28C in my grow room a few time this summer and I didn't lost any plants yet. My minor is flowering in those conditions.
You could come back to ithe ce bottles trck for a few days. Also, Ptuuing your tank directly on the floor could perhaps save you a few C ... Not sure about it but could worth a try.
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Post by Maiden on Sept 1, 2014 9:21:25 GMT -5
For the night time drop, even with icepacks i cannot go below 21C. I dont think helis need a big night drop as long as the roots stay cool in the day. But right now its very difficult.
Martin yeah i agree, minor var minor can take higher temps, but i fear for my other plants. Parva, pulchella amuri, hispida and folliculata aparaman are the pickier species, in my setup.
Here a good reference by AF:
Hello,
This Heliamphora disease(sudden death syndrome) is caused by a phytopathogenic fungus (which I was able to identify during my molecular studies of Heliamphora by chance), which infects the vascular tissue of the centre of the plant, and can kill a healthy plant within a few days by browning heart disease/ wilt disease. This fungus lives within the tissue of a plant as an endophyte in its asuexual phase (even in wild populations of Heliamphora as it seems), and normally does not harm the plant. However, providing the perfect conditions for the fungus to propagate (which are unfortunately exactly those conditions which will make Heliamphora suffer much, and thus get an easy host for mass infection by the fungus), i.e. prolonged warm temperatures above 28°C and high humidity, the fugus hyphae start growing rapidly, filling all vascular bundels of the plant host's heart (you will recognized dark brown collapsed bundels in the centre of the plant, filled with hyphae under a microscope). The roots and leaves are still looking healthy at this stage, but the plant heart is already dead. It's very characteristic for this wilting disease that the leaves and roots are dying/rotting from the centre to the tip! This means that the tips of the leaves are still fresh and green, whereas the base is already brown and rotting.
I made some infection and growth experiments with this fungus at university in a heated chamber. This fungus can kill a healthy Heliamphora plant at 28°C and high humidity in less than 10 days after infection! On the dying plant parts in the centre of the plant, hundereds of little conidia (asexual spores) are formed for propagation by air and especially water droplets. Interestingly, this fungus is not growing well on artificial growth media, and I did not find any chemical treatment to stop it's growth yet. But I'm still working on this subject, and will keep you updated.
BTW, a related species of fungus is causing almost the same disease in Darlingtonia!
I cannot recommend any cure for infected plants so far (usually the "terminal" stage of this disease is leading to loss of the infected plant, but sometimes regrowth occurs from lateral buds, if growth conditions are changed at once), only preventation: Cool temperatures (especially during summer heat waves!) seem to be essential, especially cool root temperatures! Spores of this fungus seem to be around everywhere (airborne?), and experienced Heliamphora growers told me that they never had any problems with this wilting disease indoors, when using pure water (not rainwater). This might be due to optimal growing conditions as well.
I only had this problem with Heliamphora grown outdoors or in my greenhouse so far.
All the best,
Andreas (Andreas Fleischmann) -
The only solution i have right now is shutoff the lights..
This is why i think its almost impossible growing and make thriving this genus without a air conditionner. Without that unit, in the tanks the temps can reach, with the lights, 35C easy, and 23-23C at night..
Go figure.. :/
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Post by sokkos on Sept 1, 2014 10:23:32 GMT -5
To combat fungal contamination in tissue culture I use a fungicide called benomyl. Some people use it to soak their explants before culture. It is systemic and dos not seem to interfere with my work. If you are worried about the fungus, perhaps this may be a possible preventative measure?
Can your drape a wet towel over the top of the tank and keep a fan blowing? Do you think that could help with the cooling a bit?
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Post by cory on Sept 1, 2014 10:25:17 GMT -5
A few days without light isn't going to cause any damage I wouldn't worry about it to much. When the temps subside resuming your normal growing habits and they will bounce right back
With that said maiden I agree completely that longterm growing without an AC and cool nights along with cooler days is about impossible with a lot of the pickier species
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Post by Maiden on Sept 1, 2014 10:35:19 GMT -5
Sokkos, yes probably. Right now i have an a/c running and the air flux is directed righ on my terrariums. Without the t5s the temps are ok. Hope for the best. Also thanks for the information about tissue culture. I have 0 experience with this but i want to learn in a near future. Cory, yes i agree. The problem is the grower I have the obsession of perfection in horticulture. Each single plant in my collection have to thrive under my care, not just growing(thats why i have a short grow list). So a week without light is not optimal. Damn heat wave, i will move to alaska.
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Post by H2O on Sept 1, 2014 10:50:51 GMT -5
I find the easiest way to drop temperatures is to open a window, you might need to move to the west coast for this to work properly Today's high, 19, low, 14. Outdoor Nepenthes love it. Seriously though, I hope you guys keep cool over there.
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Post by Dennis Z on Sept 1, 2014 11:11:10 GMT -5
My h.heterodoxa seems to be doing well with day temps of 25-27 and night temps of 19-20. I'm sure the hardier species will be fine but the more sensitive species might take a hit.
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Post by Maiden on Sept 1, 2014 11:22:23 GMT -5
Today's high, 19, low, 14. Outdoor Nepenthes love it. A...R...G lucky you. My left arm for that kind of temperatures! I use the open window method in winter, but right now i cannot.. Dennis: yes heterodoxa can take higher temperatures, its a great door to helis world. A beautifull specie IMO
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Post by ng on Sept 1, 2014 13:10:08 GMT -5
Good read..
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Post by cory on Sept 1, 2014 18:03:04 GMT -5
I understand maiden. Hope everything works itself out for you
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Post by vraev on Sept 2, 2014 2:06:17 GMT -5
Damn. I would love to get my tank to cycle through such perfect temps. My plants are starting to show downhill symptoms due to no variations in temps. Not to mention, most lepanthes are dying as they are not getting the best temps. I also see some fungal spotting on the leaves. I might need to look into some systemic fungicides.
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Post by Maiden on Sept 2, 2014 7:59:06 GMT -5
My plants are starting to show downhill symptoms due to no variations in temps.(...) I also see some fungal spotting on the leaves. It can be VERY frustrating when we treasure our plants.. As i can see, the weather in toronto is very hot too. In montreal, we will experiment 31C/21C temperature next friday... This will be the last hot week, after that the temps will be very cool. Growing ultra highland plants is so easy in winter... I just CANT wait. /me kick summer.
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