Hi
I have been growing D. whittakeri for 12 years now, but this winter has been a problem.
Of my 4 potted plants one small one has rotted and died, a second one with two growing points (2 tubers) has been heavily deformed, and the second growing point came away in my hand as rotted!
Here is a photo of that plant:
The plant on the left is the one gone now-
Of the other two, one has two growing points and looks a bit better, but has no dew on its tips. Only the final plant is still looking ok with healthy leaves, dew and flowers. This is my original tuber, all the other tubers came from that one.
They are growing in a mix of granulated peat & sand. And is the same mix I have always used. They are in my Neps house and are in the sunniest position. Though with winter here sun is quite rare.
In the past I used to water them from above and let the water run through the compost. But after reading various CP books have for the first time this winter stood them in a water tray. Could this be the key to the problems?
I have also had fungus gnats which I have treated the compost for. Do their lava eat the tubers? As the remaing tubers to those dead plants were rotten/soft but still around.
As I have had no problems till now I won't to insure I have at least one plant left after this winter! Any help gratefully received
cheers
bill
I have been growing D. whittakeri for 12 years now, but this winter has been a problem.
Of my 4 potted plants one small one has rotted and died, a second one with two growing points (2 tubers) has been heavily deformed, and the second growing point came away in my hand as rotted!
Here is a photo of that plant:
The plant on the left is the one gone now-
Of the other two, one has two growing points and looks a bit better, but has no dew on its tips. Only the final plant is still looking ok with healthy leaves, dew and flowers. This is my original tuber, all the other tubers came from that one.
They are growing in a mix of granulated peat & sand. And is the same mix I have always used. They are in my Neps house and are in the sunniest position. Though with winter here sun is quite rare.
In the past I used to water them from above and let the water run through the compost. But after reading various CP books have for the first time this winter stood them in a water tray. Could this be the key to the problems?
I have also had fungus gnats which I have treated the compost for. Do their lava eat the tubers? As the remaing tubers to those dead plants were rotten/soft but still around.
As I have had no problems till now I won't to insure I have at least one plant left after this winter! Any help gratefully received
cheers
bill