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Post by NoMoreMe on Mar 4, 2007 10:37:42 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I am so relieved to have found this board! I had been interested in VFT's for awhile off and on, but figured I'd just botch things if I ever got one and had never seen any locally for sale. I finally decided to buy some seeds off eBay last night, figuring I could grow them under a lamp in my third floor apartment, only to read on various websites that they require lots of outdoor time in the actual sun. I have so many questions. Like I read on many sites that terrariums are perfect for these, and then on other sites never to use terrariums. I figured I'd start mine off in a pot under a large glass bell with a lamp over it for humidity (our apt is dry with electric heating), with a70% peatmoss and 30% perlite mixture, and water only with distilled water. That's really all I know for now. Any tips on getting started and germinating the seeds would be REALLY appreciated. I used to start seeds that I found outside when I was younger; I'd either find the seeds wouldn't grow, or that I'd get nice little seedlings, and then over-water or something (I started my own litle blue spruce from seeds from the one in my parents' yard, then drowned it  ). Thanks for taking the time to read this!! |
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Post by NoMoreMe on Mar 4, 2007 10:51:00 GMT -5
I forgot to also ask; What month would be the best to plant my seeds? Also, How should I store any extra seeds? Will they be able to be stored, or will they not be able to grow after a certain period?
Thanks for any help!
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Post by mabudon on Mar 4, 2007 10:52:17 GMT -5
Glad you found us!!! Hopefully you will stick around and join the fun that is our merry band. My name's Carl, and I live near Niagara Falls (you could alwasy post an introduction too  ) VFTs are easiest to grow year-round outside (this is why many of us grow a LOT more than just them, you can only truly enjoy them in spring through early fall) I grow mine in peat/sand mixed about 50-50 (and for clarification, "sand" is ALWAYS in reference to silica type sand, normal "sand" is usually death for CPs due to the minerals in it) They really don't need humidity, usually putting them in an enclosed area is inviting all sorts of problems To start your seeds, you'll need to "stratify" them- keeping them cold and damp for a month or two- at this time, it'd be best to do this outside in a covered container (less messy than in the fridge which is your other option) so rain doesn't make them float away Once this period is done (which will hapen naturally outside) they'll sprout and start growing The EASIEST way to keep them the required "wet level" is to put them in a regular drained pot (ideally plastic or CLEAN,NEW clay) and leave that in a "tray", something that you can keep a water level inside of- when it gets dried out, wait a day or so then add water, keep doing this for the whole season... If you can get it going like that, more instructions will follow- and seriously, making them from seed can take a while, you might want to see about getting a full-grown clone from somone or somewhere to tide you over  Let's see if Tommy already beat me to this....... |
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Post by tom on Mar 4, 2007 10:59:44 GMT -5
No, you really beat me to it Mabudon But just a thing to add: if your germination seems to fail, don't give up. Some old seeds could take a litle longer to germinate, and as you dont know how old are your seeds (you can't really rely on a seller's saying on this), you might end up with nothing. People all over this forum can also help you to grow your collection, once the addiction will begin Welcome, by the way |
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Post by mabudon on Mar 4, 2007 12:02:57 GMT -5
Oh yeah, totally forgot the "caveat" about the age of seeds, you really do never know, so potting them ALL up would be the best idea, I usually imagine 30-60% germination on seeds and plant them accordingly (enough space for all, but they don't need TOO much space when they're young, so even 3/4" is a pretty decent interval) so even with 100% you should be able to get them all potted in a 6" or so pot Is there anything else you feel the need to know about your "experiment", or any clarifications required?? We do requests |
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Post by vraev on Mar 4, 2007 15:43:33 GMT -5
hello wolf, Welcome to the VFT band wagon and the OCPS.  Having grown VFT seeds and plants, I would suggest that you also get a little nice 5$ VFT from your local walmart or home depot or a nice nursery like Sheridan Gardens (If u have one of these in your area...I would highly recommend it). VFT seeds take atleast a month or so to sprout...and the plants that come are really really small. Its easy to loose interest soon. I guess its better for you to get the plants available commercially and try growing one of those..you will definately have fun. The initial period is the hardest.....you will have to be patient till the plant adjusts to your environment and then it will take off. This is an amazing hobby buddy! If you have the possibility to grow it outside where you can put the plant in a position that gets sunlight for like 6 -7 hrs DIRECT and indirect for the rest 4 or 5 hrs in summer....then that is a perfect position for growing the VFT. You will have amazing plants that thrive in that conditions. If its not possible then get good lights and then you can also try them out inside in a terrarium....but from my experience....outside VFTs look wicked....way healthier and better growth than VFT's grown inside. |
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Post by lloyd on Mar 4, 2007 15:53:15 GMT -5
WussWolf:
I have some typical and dentate VFT bulbs in my fridge for the winter. If you want I could mail them to you. If the postage is just a dollar or two I probably won't charge anything. They don't look like much but they will be much faster than seeds.
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Post by Rick Hillier on Mar 4, 2007 16:09:27 GMT -5
No one mentioned what cold stratification is, so I'll give it a shot.
The easiest method is to take somesphagnum moss, chop it up real fine, get it moist, add your seeds to it, put the whole mixture into a sandwich bag, seal it and pop it in the back of the fridge. After several months, remove this mix and spread it out over top of a pot of sand/peat mix and wait for the little beasties to wake up.
As was mentioned before, we have many generous people online in these forums who will certainly help get you up and running with larger "bulbs" and plants. Those little seedlings can take quite a while to get to a decent size.
While you are here, and as you gain confidence in your growing ability, you will undoubtedly want to try other species, and we do have the resources to help you out there as well.
>>> Rick <<<
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Post by vraev on Mar 4, 2007 16:40:42 GMT -5
If you want a nepenthes later.....I have my ventrata which is growing out of the pot....so I can make a cutting if someone can give me instructions of where to cut and send it out. |
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Post by lloyd on Mar 4, 2007 17:17:36 GMT -5
Savage Garden has some good pictures on Nep cutting technique.
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Post by insectivore on Mar 4, 2007 17:28:41 GMT -5
Hey! Welcome to the forum! ;D Well it seems everybody answered what had to be said but in the spring I might have some Droseras and a few Sarracenias to give you! I'll get back to you on that! Cya |
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Post by NoMoreMe on Mar 7, 2007 13:12:25 GMT -5
Wow... I am so completely overwhelmed with how friendly and helpful everyone is here! I was on another forum for help with some of my fish and everyone seemed so hostile if you were a "newbie" and didn't know things you should be doing. God Bless Canada!
Thank you so much EVERYONE for all of the help! The seeds haven't arrived in the mail yet, but I'll definitely try that cold stratification in the fridge like Rick said, I'm afraid living in an apartment on the third floor doesn't really give me the ability to put them outdoors as mabudon suggested.
As Vraev suggested, I'm going to call the only greenhouse I know in my area and see if the lady there knows of anywhere I can locate a VTF already growing.
If that doesn't pan out I'd love a bulb from you Lloyd, though I don't know the difference between the two you mentioned. First I'll call this greenhouse though to see if I can save you the trouble, I need to call her for soil anyway.
Insectivore, um, what are Droseras and Sarracenias? Haha! Thank you so much for the encouragement all, and I won't give up yet Tom!
(There, managed to reply to everyone!)
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Post by mabudon on Mar 7, 2007 13:46:21 GMT -5
No sweat- I have had some kinda "off" experiences on "international" forums too, and I NEVER want that to happen here to ANYONE- there's not enough Canuck CP-ers to go driving anyone off- and it really is suited to sharing plants and knowledge For "Sarracenia and Drosera", check the other sub-forums (don't want to take this TOO far off topic, that's Lloyd and Ricks job and I don't want them to go all Union on me ) Simply put, there are many Geni (sorry about that) of CPs, all with different traps and growth habits and shapes... If you are really interested in indoor growing, there are plenty of fine species that will grow easily year-round on a windowsill with no "special care"- the temperate species (needing "seasons" etc) are usually easier to grow "naturally", outsie, since they require a period of cold "rest" that is tricky to make happen indoors (for some ideas of how far folks will go, our own funkytechnician has maybe the craziest setup I've ever seen, it's in the photos area) Ummm.. don't wanna overdo it, so that should work for now, I'll let othres answer the specific questions you directed at them |
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Post by vraev on Mar 7, 2007 19:02:16 GMT -5
Don't worry. We were all under the same impression as u until we came here. When I was a newbie (I kinda stilll am....don't be decieved by my post count ) I recieved the same welcome here. I got plants from my dear friends here as well. I am now just waiting to get some seeds or so so that I can reciprocate and give back to the community that helped me so much to keep my plants growing as they are now. In specific...I should thank mabudon for the single advice he gave me on changing the peat I bought inititally that had fertilizer in it....if it hadn't been fo rthat I wouldn't be here as the hobby would have ended in less than a month. but not singling out a single member.....every single member over here has helped me in some way or the other with seeds or plants or advice. I am personally indeed happy to be involved in a community like this. In conclusion, welcome to the ontario carnivorous plant society. and enjoy your flytraps. if you can't get any in your area....I can probably get you a dentate from my local store....u don't have to pay me...its hardly 4$ or so. |
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Post by lloyd on Mar 7, 2007 19:27:43 GMT -5
Don't worry about the trouble, Wolf. It would be easier to send you the VFT bulbs than to plant them in the spring. I have so many VFT seedlings growing that I would be happy to give away the mature plants. The postage will probably only be a couple of dollars or so, probably not worth charging you.
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). Thanks for taking the time to read this!!
)
