is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?

is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?#435942

By Intheswamp -  Tue May 30, 2023 3:14 am
Location:  Lower Alabama (LA), USA - N31°43'59" USDA 8a/b
Posts:  2364
Joined:  Wed May 04, 2022 2:28 pm

- Tue May 30, 2023 3:14 am #435942

Before I go off half-cocked here, I thought I'd ask if 2" deep food trays are deep enough to start d. regia and d. finlaysoniana in.

Thanks.

Re: is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?#435952

By DragonsEye -  Tue May 30, 2023 12:09 pm
Posts:  1194
Joined:  Sat Oct 01, 2016 1:22 pm

- Tue May 30, 2023 12:09 pm #435952

Can't say for regia, but I've started numerous dews, pings, and Byblis in media that was only 1-1.5" deep.

Blessed are the "cracked" ... for it is they who let in the light.

Re: is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?#435953

By Intheswamp -  Tue May 30, 2023 12:13 pm
Location:  Lower Alabama (LA), USA - N31°43'59" USDA 8a/b
Posts:  2364
Joined:  Wed May 04, 2022 2:28 pm

- Tue May 30, 2023 12:13 pm #435953

Thanks DragsonsEye. How big do you let them get before potting them up?

Re: is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?#435966

By NightRaider -  Tue May 30, 2023 1:23 pm
Location:  Cookeville, TN (7a)
Posts:  411
Joined:  Mon Jun 07, 2021 4:01 am

- Tue May 30, 2023 1:23 pm #435966

I have a couple trays of 2 year old, full grown spatulata Tamlin, natalensis, 'Watari', capillaris, etc that have spent their whole lives in a 1020 plug tray no deeper than 1.5". Would I recommend this? No, but these smaller species have never been bothered by it at least. That said, you still normally get a boost in growth by repotting after ~3-6 months or whenever you notice they start to get stunted, even if it's to a pot the exact same size. Something about the fresh soil I guess, I can't really explain it but I don't think I'm the only one here that has experienced it. That said, since those 2 are much larger plants I probably wouldn't keep them there for more than a few months to make sure they develop a solid root structure. I actually started both species in cells that size, and while aphids got them both after I repotted they seemed to stall out and need up-potted by around 3-4 months

Night's Grow List

Re: is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?#435967

By Intheswamp -  Tue May 30, 2023 1:29 pm
Location:  Lower Alabama (LA), USA - N31°43'59" USDA 8a/b
Posts:  2364
Joined:  Wed May 04, 2022 2:28 pm

- Tue May 30, 2023 1:29 pm #435967

Yes, I was concerned about the size of the plants versus the depth of the grow-mix. I figure by the time they get an inch tall I need to be moving them to deeper digs. I recently dug out a couple of sarrs seedlings (my first, and I'm struggling with them). Those little nickle/dime-sized plants had roots two inches long! I dunno, maybe I do need to go with a deeper pot that what these trays are.

Re: is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?#435968

By Intheswamp -  Tue May 30, 2023 2:07 pm
Location:  Lower Alabama (LA), USA - N31°43'59" USDA 8a/b
Posts:  2364
Joined:  Wed May 04, 2022 2:28 pm

- Tue May 30, 2023 2:07 pm #435968

Another question that I have is whether clear containers are ok to use. Most all of my plants, except for sphagnum moss, are grown in opaque containers. I've always just thought that light entering in through the sides of clear containers just wasn't natural for root growth and might do "wonky" things to the plant. But, I have no personal proof of that. The reason I'm asking is that you can buy packs of small food containers at the dollar stores that are black and come with the clear lids. They're cheap enough, but the deepest are only about 2" deep. On the other hand, you can buy clear food container in the same square inch footprint range that are 3-4 inches deep. But...they are clear.

Any thoughts or experiences with this? Thanks!

Re: is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?#435979

By DragonsEye -  Tue May 30, 2023 11:06 pm
Posts:  1194
Joined:  Sat Oct 01, 2016 1:22 pm

- Tue May 30, 2023 11:06 pm #435979

Intheswamp wrote: ↑Tue May 30, 2023 12:13 pm Thanks DragsonsEye. How big do you let them get before potting them up?

Until I have space for them to have their own place.

The one issue with clear pots is that utricularia and many drosera will try to form plantlets under the media up against the clear sides in response to the light shining on the roots.

Blessed are the "cracked" ... for it is they who let in the light.

Re: is two inches deep deep enough for started regia and other sundew seeds?#435984

By Intheswamp -  Wed May 31, 2023 1:42 am
Location:  Lower Alabama (LA), USA - N31°43'59" USDA 8a/b
Posts:  2364
Joined:  Wed May 04, 2022 2:28 pm

- Wed May 31, 2023 1:42 am #435984

Thanks. I knew I was hesitant on the clear containers for a reason. I'm dealing with some utricularia sandersonii that is doing exactly what you mentioned about growing below the surface.<sigh> Oh, and on the space...that sounds familiar.

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