My Baby Cephalotus follicularis

[mobile]

I've never used HPS, my lamp is MH. However, I know that HPS is used by commercial growers. I find that my plants grow much better under MH than fluorescent. In fact, if a plant isn't growing as well as it should under fluorescents I usually put it under the MH to give it a boost.

[dionae]

The light is a lot more intense and deeper penetrating with HIDs than Fluoros. Fluoros are good if you cant control temps but if you can control temps imo you'd be better off with a HID, HPS or MH.

[WildBill]

Hi Dionae -

Good thing to keep the moss trimmed. I've lost a few that got suffocated once when I got really busy. Once the tiny pitchers are large enough I've found that feeding with Betta Fish pellets really help young Cephalotus follicularis get going.

I used to buy something called BettaBioGold, teeny 1/16th round pellets but they changed their formulation so now I look for similar sized but better ingredient formulation.

[dionae]

Thank you very much for the tips WildBill!

[TheFury]

I'm so jealous right now. I thought I was watering my Cephalotus follicularis too much, so I gave it one last drink before I went on a 10-day long vacation. I came back and the damn thing was dried crispy. I feel absolutely awful about it!! I'm determined to try again and succeed, although I'm hoping the 'phoenix effect' will kick in and I'll see some new growth in a few weeks...

[dionae]

Thats horrible TF. I really hope she puts out some new growth for you. Thanks for stopping by!

[xvart]

Ahhh... I remember when I got my first Cephalotus which was about the same size. I also remember when it pumped out its first mature pitcher. Good times. It really is a rewarding plant to grow even though it grows more slowly than some.

and one more thing: DO NOT, i repeat DO NOT allow under any circumstances let the crown/growth point get wet for prolonged periods. if it gets wet it will end up rotting.

As an aside, I remember from several years ago debating this very thing. It's probably best to err on the side of caution but I wouldn't be overly concerned about rotting the crown. For a long time with my Cephalotus plants I only watered the tray but it is good to also water from the top around the plant to circulate and aerate the soil around the roots.

xvart.

[dionae]

Thanks for the tip xvart!