Well, I guess it is time to introduce myself since I’ve been lurking for some time now. My name is Hotrod30; after my hotrod that I drive. To tell you how old I am; tenth grade math class we spent a week on learning how to use and master the Slide Rule.
I grow my carnivorous plants outside in the late spring, summer and fall; in the cool terrariums in the winter time. I live in zone 4b.
I have two, 48in X 24in X 18in terrariums in my workshop. Each terrarium is made of aluminum angle (1 1/2in), aluminum square (1in), plexiglass acrylic mirror sheets both 1/8 (sides) and ¼ inch thick (for the door) and a lot of pop-rivets. The bottom is 1/2in white plexiglass and the top is 3/8in clear acrylic. These are not viewing terrariums. The cooling is done by 4in insulated flexduct, inline 4in fan and a cooling thermostat. The six foot long insulated flexduct goes from the unheated garage to the terrariums. Right now the thermostat is set at 45 deg F. Lighting on each terrarium is done by a Tek T5 48in 4 HO bulb fixture (using only the outer 2 lights right now), two 5 cluster LED grow bars and a T8 48in 2 HO bulb fixture. Humidity, if needed, is provided by two Zoo Med Repti Foggers. Two CO2Boost systems are used in the early spring growing time. Lights, light cooling fans, terrarium cooling, foggers, and CO2Boost systems are all controlled by an X10 system. The X10 turns on the lights to resemble sunrise to midday to sunset.
The two outside circulating bogs (used in late spring, summer and fall) are made of heavy plastic storage trays; 44in X 24in X 7in high. Each tray has its’ own water pump, air bubbler and water level control system. The plants have their own pots that nest in net pots buried in expanded clay pellets. The water circulates from the control box to the other end of the tray, thru the tray and then back into the control box (which contains the water pump, air bubbler, water level control valves, algae control stuff and if needed ice blocks). The third bog is just a 6in PVC pipe with 5 ½ holes drilled in it to hold the pots that have the Venus Fly Traps. The 6in pipe is capped at each end and has a water control valve and drain valve in it. I don’t circulate this water but regulate the depth by hand. To supply water I have a RO System and a 35 gal holding tank. I can water the plants via a drip system or just put water in the trays. I let Mother Nature flush the system and add water or use the RO water to do the same. The bogs get direct sun light from about 9:30AM to dark. Since I live in the country, I have around the bogs an 18in tall electric fence that is always on (the wife accidently tested it once). So far, (knock on wood), the fence has kept every thing out (even the wife).
For plants I have Pitcher Plant Hybrids, Pitcher Plant Species, Cobra plants, Sundews and Venus Fly Traps. All my plants are common plants; I don’t want special, hard to find plants. Most came from the internet, but some came from Lowes death cubes. I don’t care for Latin names; have to look them up when I read here and on the internet.
My winter project is to start some Dewy Pines. I have the planting mix, the seeds and the pots; but not the time. My wife and I are still grieving over the death of our youngest daughter from cancer. She was a Captain in the USAF; stationed in Montana but died in the Air Force Hospital in Texas. A lot of paper work, phone calls and more paper work. Luckily the X10 system worked great and the plants didn’t need much watering.
That’s about it for me. I’m around here about twice a day. I don’t answer many questions because I am still learning about CPs but will try if I can. I’m also trying to learn how to use this computer; thank God for spell check.
I grow my carnivorous plants outside in the late spring, summer and fall; in the cool terrariums in the winter time. I live in zone 4b.
I have two, 48in X 24in X 18in terrariums in my workshop. Each terrarium is made of aluminum angle (1 1/2in), aluminum square (1in), plexiglass acrylic mirror sheets both 1/8 (sides) and ¼ inch thick (for the door) and a lot of pop-rivets. The bottom is 1/2in white plexiglass and the top is 3/8in clear acrylic. These are not viewing terrariums. The cooling is done by 4in insulated flexduct, inline 4in fan and a cooling thermostat. The six foot long insulated flexduct goes from the unheated garage to the terrariums. Right now the thermostat is set at 45 deg F. Lighting on each terrarium is done by a Tek T5 48in 4 HO bulb fixture (using only the outer 2 lights right now), two 5 cluster LED grow bars and a T8 48in 2 HO bulb fixture. Humidity, if needed, is provided by two Zoo Med Repti Foggers. Two CO2Boost systems are used in the early spring growing time. Lights, light cooling fans, terrarium cooling, foggers, and CO2Boost systems are all controlled by an X10 system. The X10 turns on the lights to resemble sunrise to midday to sunset.
The two outside circulating bogs (used in late spring, summer and fall) are made of heavy plastic storage trays; 44in X 24in X 7in high. Each tray has its’ own water pump, air bubbler and water level control system. The plants have their own pots that nest in net pots buried in expanded clay pellets. The water circulates from the control box to the other end of the tray, thru the tray and then back into the control box (which contains the water pump, air bubbler, water level control valves, algae control stuff and if needed ice blocks). The third bog is just a 6in PVC pipe with 5 ½ holes drilled in it to hold the pots that have the Venus Fly Traps. The 6in pipe is capped at each end and has a water control valve and drain valve in it. I don’t circulate this water but regulate the depth by hand. To supply water I have a RO System and a 35 gal holding tank. I can water the plants via a drip system or just put water in the trays. I let Mother Nature flush the system and add water or use the RO water to do the same. The bogs get direct sun light from about 9:30AM to dark. Since I live in the country, I have around the bogs an 18in tall electric fence that is always on (the wife accidently tested it once). So far, (knock on wood), the fence has kept every thing out (even the wife).
For plants I have Pitcher Plant Hybrids, Pitcher Plant Species, Cobra plants, Sundews and Venus Fly Traps. All my plants are common plants; I don’t want special, hard to find plants. Most came from the internet, but some came from Lowes death cubes. I don’t care for Latin names; have to look them up when I read here and on the internet.
My winter project is to start some Dewy Pines. I have the planting mix, the seeds and the pots; but not the time. My wife and I are still grieving over the death of our youngest daughter from cancer. She was a Captain in the USAF; stationed in Montana but died in the Air Force Hospital in Texas. A lot of paper work, phone calls and more paper work. Luckily the X10 system worked great and the plants didn’t need much watering.
That’s about it for me. I’m around here about twice a day. I don’t answer many questions because I am still learning about CPs but will try if I can. I’m also trying to learn how to use this computer; thank God for spell check.