Need help starting an

[Kirkscoastalcarnivores]

I remember when I was a newbie and couldn't wait to get an "advanced collection" and every time someone gave me a plant I would be extremely happy, well I want to start a group dedicated to helping newbies who dont want to spend a fortune. I want to have a list of plants available, and the newbies can just ask for one that they want, there will be a limit so no one gets treated unfairly, all the newbies have to do is reemburse shipping charges, however now, I mostly only have seedligns that I can give away so I would like to have a few volunteers who could give plants to newbies, anyone up for it?

 

[CP30]

I think this a great idea, it seems to be right in alignment with the philosophy of this site - share, teach, and learn. I do not have much to give at this point, but I do remember being brand new to CPs (only 3 years ago) and not really knowing where to turn to learn and to grow my collection. I constantly scraped all my available funds (well, maybe not all) to buy more and more plants.
Now that I have moved away from Seattle to south Louisiana, I do not think I could even have bought those plants so readily. Quality CPs were easy to find in many nurseries and stores there, but I have not found any here except at Wally World and Lowes

LOL go figure, I move to the 'home' of sarracenias ( I know I know, but at least I'm on the Gulf coast...) and I cannot find any quality CP's outside of the net!
I can easily start many seedlings, some divisions and cuttings this summer. It may be a while before much is available, but I am all for this! Spreading the CP contagion is almost as wothwhile as supporting the NASC!
Count me in!

 

[aprilh]

Kirk,

I have had Cp's for exactly one month now. I am very experienced in growing all sorts of rare native stuff...but CP's are a mystery to me.

Your idea is a good one. I'm still confused as to what medium to use for what plant.

 

[jimscott]

Quote[/b] (aprilh @ May 01 2005,9:39)]I'm still confused as to what medium to use for what plant.

April, one of the things I have noticed about questions regarding media (as well as other cultivating techniques) is that except for a few plant specific needs, there is incredible leeway and widely varying views & successes with a variety of different combinations. For the most part, you can't go wrong with well-rinsed media that is peat & sand, topdressed with LFS. Of course that is my personal favorite.

Another general truism is that if you ask a cultivation question and get 5 responses, 4 of them will be variations of one another. The last will be diametrically opposed to anything the others espouse - and it may be just as valid and successful. I takes awhile to realize there are a variety of views and experiences. It's sorta like dealing with our species.

 

[aprilh]

Thanks JimScott! I've put everything that I have into straight Spaghnum Peat, on the advice of the person who sent me the plants. Some of the other things I have appear to have a mix of sand/spaghnum peat/and lfs on the top. I just wish it would warm up..it's hard for me to tell how "everbody" is doing in this cool weather. Aprilh

 

[jimscott]

I'm sure you know this, but each soil media type has its distinctive qualities. I posted a question about them and I'll have to dig up the thread for you. I remember perlite being good for providing airy quality and live sphagnum having therapeutic and moiture holding qualities. Sand is good for drainage.

 

[jimscott]

Here's the link to the soil media topic:

Soil media topic