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Carnivorous Plants/Questions Answered by Expert Daniel Lee Bowen
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Heliamphora height for terrarium? | 4/12/2012 |
| Q: I have 2 questions about Heliamphora heterodoxa and one of it's hybrids. How tall does H. heterodoxa ... A: Your two questions are great ones and ones I can help you with! I have found that if you plan on ... | |
| i apoligize, couldnt send multiple photos | 4/6/2012 |
| Q: this is the fourth photo @@@@@IMAGE:97980:Carnivorous-Plants-711/2012/04/dead-ends.jpg##### ANSWER: ... A: Two things stand out to me as problems with your plant pitcher. One that you may need to add some ... | |
| i apoligize, couldnt send multiple photos | 4/6/2012 |
| Q: this is the fourth photo A: Need to found out some facts first. One what kind and how much lighting is your Nepenthes getting ... | |
| Nepenthes X Ventrata Please Help | 4/6/2012 |
| Q: I live in florida 1 block from the beach. The plant is facing east under a metal awning. i check the ... A: We need to start with the best mix for Nepenthes to insure for the best drainage and that is ... | |
| my tropical pitchers | 3/27/2012 |
| Q: I have a few new tropical pitchers that I have under a flourescent light I also mist them but I have ... A: Sorry to hear about your falling leaves from your Nepenthes! Do you know the names of these ... | |
| Nepenthes problem | 3/21/2012 |
| Q: I bought a beautiful nepenthes from lowes. Took it home and removed the lid and gave it plenty of ... A: Wow First thanks for the great photo and what a great looking set-up you have good job! After ... | |
| Nepenthes problem | 3/20/2012 |
| Q: I bought a beautiful nepenthes from lowes. Took it home and removed the lid and gave it plenty of ... A: I have had the something happen to me with some of the carnivorous plants and special they Nepenthes ... | |
| Can I grow a Nepenthes Truncata? | 2/7/2012 |
| Q: I live in San Diego(Here's the weather: http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/92116), and I am ... A: I have found that Nepenthes 'truncata' being a Lowland Nepenthes thrives best with partial sun and ... | |
| Terrarium under lights | 1/24/2012 |
| Q: I want to set up a 10 gallon terrarium with lights. I would like to plant the plants into the soil ... A: Using the right lighting is key to great thriving colorful carnivorous plants and I have found that ... | |
| Drosera Binata Propogation | 1/20/2012 |
| Q: I was curious if you've done root cutting for Drosera Bianta. If so, what size should the root ... A: I have and do grow many D. Bianta Sundews in many of my Terrariums. I have never tried any type of ... | |
| Terrarium Soil and Such | 1/20/2012 |
| Q: I was wondering if it would be a bad thing if I mixed my sphagnum peat moss with my dead, long fiber ... A: You have all the bases cover, but you will need a meter to read the temperature and humidity costing ... | |
| Terrarium | 1/19/2012 |
| Q: I finished setting it up, although I may add my baby Drosera Binata at a later time if it starts ... A: Very good job, in fact a great job! Keep your eye on the temperature for the sake of your Nepenthes ... | |
| Terrarium Soil and Such | 1/19/2012 |
| Q: I was wondering if it would be a bad thing if I mixed my sphagnum peat moss with my dead, long fiber ... A: The lighting is right on the mark and will work great to add that rich coloring you are looking for ... | |
| Terrarium Soil and Such | 1/19/2012 |
| Q: I was wondering if it would be a bad thing if I mixed my sphagnum peat moss with my dead, long fiber ... A: I think your planting mix sounds great and should hold up well for years, and with added weekly ... | |
| More on Terrariums | 1/19/2012 |
| Q: My E-mail = Also, did I say they don't like the humidity? If so then I shouldn't have. I just ... A: Yes, you are right about the sphagnum moss, for peat moss is some what of the same thing, but I use ... | |
| More on Terrariums | 1/19/2012 |
| Q: My E-mail = Also, did I say they don't like the humidity? If so then I shouldn't have. I just ... A: You have been a lot of fun to work with, and looking forward to seeing the outcome of your ... | |
| More on Terrariums | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: My E-mail = Also, did I say they don't like the humidity? If so then I shouldn't have. I just ... A: No you don't say Venus Flytraps could not thrive with high humidity. But know many sundews need ... | |
| Terrariums | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: Mr. Bowen, glad to see another expert here on the site and I'm sure we're all very happy to have ... A: It's not how much lighting as the right kind of lighting. I work part time at, Lowes where I got ... | |
| Terrariums | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: Mr. Bowen, glad to see another expert here on the site and I'm sure we're all very happy to have ... A: I will send a photo of one of my smaller terrariums. It will show you the corner drainage system I ... | |
| Terrariums | 1/18/2012 |
| Q: Mr. Bowen, glad to see another expert here on the site and I'm sure we're all very happy to have ... A: Your plant placement and size of your terrarium sounds really good! For planting mineral I use ... | |
Answers by Expert:
Daniel Lee Bowen
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
SOME HAVE CALLED ME THE TERRARIUM EXPERT BECAUSE OF HAVING OVER 50 YEARS IN THIS WONDERFUL HOBBY. NOW WITH MY GREAT TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE AND KEEP THE BEST LOOKING CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND A LIST OF CARNIVOROUS PLANTS BEST SUITED TO USE IN YOUR TERRARIUM. IF YOU NEED HELP OR INFO. ON HOW TO GROW OR SET-UP YOUR OWN TERRARIUM THEN I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP YOU. NOW WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS OF SET-UP WITH CARE STEPS OF GREAT INFO. AND THE RIGHT CARNIVOROUS PLANTS FROM GREAT GROWER YOU TOO WILL HAVE THOSE THRIVING COLORFUL PLANTS YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED INSIDE YOUR TERRARIUM!
Experience
I have been joying growing many species of carnivorous plants and in the study as to how best to get them to thrive in different kinds of terrariums set-ups. I have be in this wonderful hobby for well over 50 years now and I have faced all kind of problems head on and thru learning how to grow carnivorous plants with the right kind of lighting thru great set ups that support and protect long term care. I started this wonderful hobby by growing my first Venus Flytrap at the age of 6 and today at the age of 59 I now have well over 600 thriving carnivorous plants. I face questions and answers all the time with my friends on line and all of them tell me I should be doing this kind of support work and please note, I'm not here to sell anything but to give help to whom ever needs it. Please let me know if I can help, Thanks!
Organizations
I'm the host of "How to Garden Work Shop" Lowes at 7843 South Hw 35 San Antonio, Texas where we meet every Sat. from 11AM-1PM Also work as a Garden Pro. Wed. thru Sun. I'm starting the first 'Carnivorous Plant Club' in Texas with the great help from some kind garden clubs outside the state. Have it up and running by July 2012 so if you are wanting to join please sign up now for field trips and many work shops and how to shops with a lot of good stuff coming up soon.
Publications
Author of, 'A Carnivorous Planted Terrarium' found at 'Barns & Nobles' finer book stores rated my book at 4 1/2 stars. I have five other books under my belt and working on my next to be out in Oct. 2012
Education/Credentials
B.S. Math/accounting 1974
Owned D & R Design a large landscaping & Pool co. for 34 years
Carnivorous plants have been a big part of my life 1961-2012
Awards and Honors
I recieved "The Best in Swimming Pool Design" from 'Better Homes and Garden" with a four page layout and story in 1996 and again with story and layout in 1999
I also recieved "The Best in design of a Pond and Water fall" First place 'Better Homes & Garden' with a three page spead in 2001 and again in 2003 'First place' also for Best landscaping Design award with "The Mcallen Garden Club" for the following years, 1990,1992, 1995, 1997 and in 1999
Past/Present Clients
I have well over 20,000 past clients and all from Texas. I'm retired but still take on some pool, pond, waterfall, lighting and landscaping design work
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