Epiphytic Ericaceae

[lloyd]

Very interesting, reminds me of a Castilleja flower. Is it hummingbird pollinated?

[Apoplast]

Hi Lloyd - It is a bit reminiscent of Castilleja. I hadn't really thought of that. And yes, they are hummingbird pollinated. Interestingly, there is a convergently evolved group from Australasia with similar flowers. I guess they are a bit less tubular, but they are still largely red. Maybe sunbirds? They are also a cool group.

[lloyd]

That's very interesting. Definitely adapted for bird pollination.

[WillyCKH]

I have built myself a purple LED grow light months ago, and I have to agree with you, Apoplast that the light just looked weird. I had headaches, my sister kept on complaining on it making the whole living room purple. After a while I got used to the light, and I found my D. Capensis seedlings growing really happy under it, so I started to enjoy the lighting.
The purple dews sparkling and catching countless little flying bugs... almost gives me a feel of I am in another planet with alien plants! 

[Apoplast]

Hi Willyckh - You built one?! Would are for more tech savvy than I! I just bought one. The plants under it are doing great, even if they are tough to look at. I need to get a strip of white LEDs or something akin to that, which I can switch on when I want to admire the plants. I like your alien world take. That makes it seem much more exotic.

[WillyCKH]

Apr 26, 2015 10:54:38 GMT -5 Apoplast said:

Hi Willyckh - You built one?! Would are for more tech savvy than I! I just bought one. The plants under it are doing great, even if they are tough to look at. I need to get a strip of white LEDs or something akin to that, which I can switch on when I want to admire the plants. I like your alien world take. That makes it seem much more exotic.

Where did you get your Epiphytic Ericaceae? It's a really pretty plant especially with the red blooming coloration.

Yep, It is my interest to DIY little gadgets like light. This is my 216 LEDs grow light that I made a while ago:


Alien like D. Capensis Alba:


I think you could set up some green lights, or white (whichever easier to buy for you), and hook them up to a PIR sensor, which turns on the lights when you walk by for a minute or two.
I thought about making that myself, but I ended up making another less purple grow light because I am lazy. If you want to make something similar you can ask me for advises!
As you see in my little setup here, the second level is lit by purple light

[Apoplast]

Hi Willyckh - Those are some nice lights you built! I think I'll stick to buying mine for the time being - I know my limits. I like the Mylar on the inside of the grow space too.

Regarding where I got my plants, they are from a variety of places. Friends. Specialty vendors. They are very cool, and I am only getting more interested in them. But I don't want to tell you what I've already spent on them. Yikes!

[Apoplast]

Hi all - Okay, so I am super proud about this. My Ceratostema rauhii is finally blooming! It's an uncommon species that grows dangling down from tree branches. So you need to accommodate its growth form:



But it has not bloomed for me before. I think it's enjoying my new highland grow room. There is some tweaking is still necessary on the room, but that's for another thread.

Here is a flower open:



It's nice. But I live the flower buds even more:



I know it's not a group of plants most hobbyists grow. But I really like them, and enjoy them immensely. Thanks for looking!

[lloyd]

A very unusual plant.

[Apoplast]

Thanks Lloyd! Coming from you, that means a lot!

[lloyd]

All I need is more space, more time and a paid assistant to cover absences and then I could grow even more weird and wonderful plants like this one.