The Evil Spider Hunter
TerraForums Venus Flytrap, Nepenthes, Drosera and more talk
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Vft and other cp's arriving soon....
- Thread starter The Evil Spider Hunter
- Start date
The Evil Spider Hunter
For me, it depends on where these plants are coming from. If a trusted commercial place like PFT, the plants usually arrive in great shape and ready to plant without much more than a cursory look.
If from a hobbyist, I first carefully unpack and take a close look for evidence of bugs, disease, or plant companions that I may not want to spread to my other plants. I then wash the soil from the roots. I then spray the plant with a fungicide, and plant it in my soil mix. If I saw evidence of bugs, I spray it with a systemic insecticide.
I put the plant in a bright area with filtered light (not in direct sun). Over the next few weeks, I gradually move it to areas with higher light intensity, depending on the plant's preferences. I also watch the new plant for evidence of stress, bugs, disease, and unwanted companions.
The fungicide and insecticide treatments may seem overly cautious, but I have had a number of bad experiences when introducing new plants from outside sources. Some growers are even more cautious and only grow new introductions from seed.
If from a hobbyist, I first carefully unpack and take a close look for evidence of bugs, disease, or plant companions that I may not want to spread to my other plants. I then wash the soil from the roots. I then spray the plant with a fungicide, and plant it in my soil mix. If I saw evidence of bugs, I spray it with a systemic insecticide.
I put the plant in a bright area with filtered light (not in direct sun). Over the next few weeks, I gradually move it to areas with higher light intensity, depending on the plant's preferences. I also watch the new plant for evidence of stress, bugs, disease, and unwanted companions.
The fungicide and insecticide treatments may seem overly cautious, but I have had a number of bad experiences when introducing new plants from outside sources. Some growers are even more cautious and only grow new introductions from seed.
The Red dragon is a little trickier the a typical vft. I don't mean to discourage you but it will not tolerate some mistakes that typicals will. Make sure you give it enough light and that it get enough water. Use only rain, distilled or ro water. One of the hardest things is don't play with the traps. It shouldn't be too stressed when you get it, and it should continue to grow without any problems. Red dragons tend to be smaller and weaker then other vft's.
For the lowland nepenthe, It will surely be some what stressed. One thing these plants don't like is change. If it's potted leave it in it's pot until it recovers from the trip (one to two months). I wouldn't advise you to repot but if you have to repot, wait for a few months and make sure you use the correct soil mixture. It's growth will probably be stunted when you first get it. The best way to get this plant over it's trip is to give it heat, humidity and air circulation. and leave it alone. It will not like being touched, turned and moved around at first. Don't use the tray method to water these plants. Water it from overhead about ever other day. Keep the soil moist. What kind of nepenthe is it?
You chose some harder than normal plants to grow. Good luck. But if you make a mistake try an easier plant next time and work your way up.
For the lowland nepenthe, It will surely be some what stressed. One thing these plants don't like is change. If it's potted leave it in it's pot until it recovers from the trip (one to two months). I wouldn't advise you to repot but if you have to repot, wait for a few months and make sure you use the correct soil mixture. It's growth will probably be stunted when you first get it. The best way to get this plant over it's trip is to give it heat, humidity and air circulation. and leave it alone. It will not like being touched, turned and moved around at first. Don't use the tray method to water these plants. Water it from overhead about ever other day. Keep the soil moist. What kind of nepenthe is it?
You chose some harder than normal plants to grow. Good luck. But if you make a mistake try an easier plant next time and work your way up.
