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Carnivorous Plants/Peat moss and perlite
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Question
QUESTION: Hi Im already buy a Sarracenia Purpurea seeds and N.vikingraff Seeds I need to know is the perfect mix of sustract to growing. Im from Pueto Rico and I can find easly the peat moss and the river sand.
ANSWER: Hi Carlos,
Sarracenia seeds (all Sarracenia) germinate well on a mix of 1/2 peat moss and 1/2 sand.
Nepenthes are better sown on ground or chopped long-fiber sphagnum moss, or well-washed coir (ground coconut fiber).
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: In recent days I've read that a good mix of venus flytrap soil for the peat moss and perlite is. The peat moss and perlite I can easily get the where I live. I buy venus flytrap seeds also. This mix of soil is also good for Nepenthes and Sarracenia?
Hi Carlos,
When it comes to carnivorous plant soil for the bog species such as Sarracenia pitcher plants, most sundews, Venus Flytraps, and many butterworts, peat moss is what they grow in under natural conditions in their native habitats. In cultivation mixing peat moss with some rock ingredient helps drainage. That rock ingredient can be perlite, sand, pumice, or even very small lava rock. You just don't want to add anything that would add nutrients, or change the pH (like limestone or marble).
Nepenthes are not bog plants. They like a more well-drained mix. That's why I recommend coir or sphagnum moss. Typical peat/perlite mix is too heavy, especially for adult plants.
Be sure to visit our caresheet pages for more information, and consider our DVD series. They can really help you to avoid mistake so common to new growers. Caresheets: http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=7&chapter=1 DVD's: http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=38
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
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Answers by Expert:
Sarracenia Northwest
Expertise
If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!
Experience
With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again.
Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.
No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.
Just the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate
thousands of carnivorous plants each year.
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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTION: We no longer answer how-to questions (i.e. How do I propagate...?; How do I grow...?). Instead, we help growers by diagnosing a specific plant problem and offering solutions (i.e. Why is my sundew not producing dew?; Is now a good time to divide my Sarracenia?; Why are the traps turning black?; What's a good substitute for perlite?; Why didn't my seeds germinate?; Can you identify this carnivorous plant for me?) For general plant care, please read our care sheets on our main website: http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets For business questions: http://www.cobraplant.com/contact |
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