[b said:
Quote[/b] (Osheshkers @ July 02 2006,10:38)]A few questions I still have, resultant of the paranoia brought on by the aphids attacking my poor little plant:
1. Is there a preferable place to put the plant while it soaks? I.E. inside vs. outside, light spot vs. dark spot
2. I stupidly placed the questionable plant less than a foot from my Neps. If I notice aphids on them (I haven't so far), do I treat them the same way, or should I opt for my friend's spray?*
*I did notice a little brown beetle on the N.rafflesiana, but I think it's just a lone beetle and not a pest. I'm keeping a close eye on it.
My condolences for the aphids. After my post, no doubt, there will be more guidance, with respect to systemis pesticides, but my take on it is to simply take whatever you have on hand that is plastic or glass, and significantly taller and of course wider to accomodate the capensis pot and plant. Then just put the pot and plant in the larger vessel and overfill it with the distilled water. People will vary as to how long to keep the plant immersed. I had one sundew in there for 2 weeks and the plant came back - but that's overkill, in more ways than one. A couple days oughta take care of the aphids. If this had been a collection of plants, drowning the aphids would probably be impractical. In that case I would recommend a pesticide. But with one plant, the simplest approach should do the trick. I never gave it any thought as to where to place the infected plant, other than being inside. so I had mine right at the window sill, which means it's still getting light.
I would take a wait and see aproach with the Neps. Aphids, to my experience, get to every plant in one's collection.
The way you are keeping the Neps is reminiscent of how the forum member called Pinkerton is keeping them. The only difference and suggestion is to blacken / darken the lower portion, so as to eliminate algae. Black construction paper or Sharpie or a dark container would work.
As with anything, people have a variety of cultivation approaches and some people keep their Neps outside. At least 2 members keep theirs in hanging baskets, right in their kitchen. Myself and at least 2 others have them in bathroom window sills. I used to use hanging baskets, but i have had some bad luck with them collapsing. So now I use planters, that catch water as it drains through, which is the same concept as you are employing with yours.
This is what they looked like a few months ago, when I had them in the attic window:
This was when we were living in Pennsylvania, at the lab:
Here's a cobra lily with the suspended pot / drainage approach:
A better picture of the Neps in the planter is forthcoming. just waiting for the pictures to be Emailed to me.