It's been a while since I've been around here. I enjoyed dabbling in CPs in the past, throughout the 2000-2007 area, but a combination of economics and my cats forced me to abandon the hobby for a while. I gave my last few CPs to a budding enthusiast some years back. I've been itching to start back up again over the past year, though, and for Christmas my partner bought me a beautiful terrarium giving me that opportunity. Glass sides and top should keep the cats away and let me control humidity as needed.
My problem, of course, is that I've forgotten almost everything I used to know . I'm hoping much of it will come back with experience, but in the mean time I was hoping to get some advice on if the plants I've chosen so far will fit well together in the space I have, and maybe get some thoughts on what else I may want to add to the mix. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
To start, the terrarium is freestanding with a 18"x18" growing area. The interior measures 22" from the soil tray to the glass top, but that top can be slid open or removed to provide a little extra space. Above the glass roof is a pyramid-shaped cast-iron grill that extends about another 8" to a peak in the center; cats can probably reach their paws in there a bit. Assuming about 4" of soil that gives a 18" cube safe growing area, with some wiggle room on height.
Just going from memory and some quick web surfing last night, here are some plants that I think I'd like to drop in:
There are also these, which I had some questions about:
I'm having some trouble visualizing how those will fit in my 324 cubic inches, and what sort of root space will be needed/left for what I described. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated, as would any recommendations for medium depth. My current plan is a 4" bed of medium with the CPs planted directly; I'd prefer not to have pots. If possible I may want to try some landscaping with rocks and even flowing water; had some thoughts of researching the possibility of adding frogs or other small creatures later if it would work. Though all that's getting a little pricey.
I don't foresee the possibility of getting more growing space free of feline predators anytime in the next couple years, so I'd like to avoid/minimize the need for repotting into a larger growing area. I also need to keep costs in mind. Part of my gift was also $50 to buy plants (she knew I'd want to pick them out ), but I doubt I'll have much discretionary cash beyond that anytime soon. That being said, good plan recommendations are welcome as well.
Thanks for taking the time to read, and thanks in advance for any responses.
Nicholas
My problem, of course, is that I've forgotten almost everything I used to know . I'm hoping much of it will come back with experience, but in the mean time I was hoping to get some advice on if the plants I've chosen so far will fit well together in the space I have, and maybe get some thoughts on what else I may want to add to the mix. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
To start, the terrarium is freestanding with a 18"x18" growing area. The interior measures 22" from the soil tray to the glass top, but that top can be slid open or removed to provide a little extra space. Above the glass roof is a pyramid-shaped cast-iron grill that extends about another 8" to a peak in the center; cats can probably reach their paws in there a bit. Assuming about 4" of soil that gives a 18" cube safe growing area, with some wiggle room on height.
Just going from memory and some quick web surfing last night, here are some plants that I think I'd like to drop in:
- 'Dente' Venus Flytrap
- 'B-52' Venus Flytrap
- Drosera Capensis
- Sarracenia 'Scarlet Belle'
There are also these, which I had some questions about:
- D Scorpiodes - I remember always wanting one of these, but I don't recall why I never got one. I also recall them being very hard to find. Could anyone shed some light here?
- Nepenthes - This is the one CP I never had any experience with. I'd like to find something small enough to fit comfortably in my growing area, and hardy enough to ease me into this little corner of the CP world. Any recommendations?
I'm having some trouble visualizing how those will fit in my 324 cubic inches, and what sort of root space will be needed/left for what I described. Any thoughts on that would be appreciated, as would any recommendations for medium depth. My current plan is a 4" bed of medium with the CPs planted directly; I'd prefer not to have pots. If possible I may want to try some landscaping with rocks and even flowing water; had some thoughts of researching the possibility of adding frogs or other small creatures later if it would work. Though all that's getting a little pricey.
I don't foresee the possibility of getting more growing space free of feline predators anytime in the next couple years, so I'd like to avoid/minimize the need for repotting into a larger growing area. I also need to keep costs in mind. Part of my gift was also $50 to buy plants (she knew I'd want to pick them out ), but I doubt I'll have much discretionary cash beyond that anytime soon. That being said, good plan recommendations are welcome as well.
Thanks for taking the time to read, and thanks in advance for any responses.
Nicholas