brand new, how am i doing?
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 10:11 pm
Hi folks,
Brand new to the site. I have been reading for several days now, and wanted to sign up and get some feedback on how I am doing. For years I have attempted to grow fly traps, unarmed with the knowledge and education needed. My plants would only last a couple months at most. A week ago I got two new plants and started reading as much information as I can. I read Steve's post, along with the novice and expert growing tips/guide. I poked over a few other threads too.
I don't want any more of these little guys to die do to my ignorance and lack of abilty to keep a plant alive.
1. Here's the details of my current plants (chewy and chompers). They were purchased and growing in very small containers a week ago.
2. I transplanted them and brushed off as much soil as possible before planting in about a 5" deep pot. (growers tips recommend 6") Will this be ok?
3. I only had peat, and didn't have sand or the silica material that was suggested. I soaked the peat well and made a good hole for the root and bulb. (bulb is covered)
4. I made the mistake of watering with tap water until today when I purchased two gallons of distilled water. Will these few days of tap water harm them?
5. I used a spray bottle with a mist setting to water them, and just gently spray the peat and plant. I was over watering before I read the care guide, and will reduce the amount of water they get.
6. I also made the mistake and added a few balls of matter magic fertilizer (since I'm growing tomatoes) and have since removed those fertilizer balls, because I read that is very bad.
7. I live in Pennsylvania, in a second floor apartment with a small deck. My plants only get direct sunlight through glass from sunrise till about 10:30am. I don't think this is enough light, but I'm afraid to put them on the deck with the gusty winds we might get, or flash thunder storms. Today I had off work and was able to place them outside for about 7 hours of direct sunlight, but I can't always do that.
8. Chewy had a long flower stem when it was purchased, about 5-6"s long. I read that they should be nipped before longer then 2"s. I nipped it prior to reading that. Will that cause the plant harm, is there any way to reverse the trama I might have caused? It was just a bud, and not a flower.
9. My plants are mildly pink, mostly green, and don't have that pretty redish pink color. Is that from a lack of light?
10. Chewy has only blrownish black leaf, and I read you can nip them or just let them decay. Is that a sign that the rest of my plant is dying since I nipped the flower stem?
11. Will my plants eat a whopper from BK? Just kidding...
I appreciate any and all help. And thank you to all who have posted information on this site. I found a lot of information, and things I have been incorrectly. I am hoping to be a successful fly trap grower this time around. I'm a little worried about the dormacy period, and that is how I lost my last two traps. They never came back. I'm sure I'll have more questions the closer to winter.
Pics of my plants:
Pic of Chewwy who had the flower stem:
The flower stem:
Chompers (looks better then Chewy, and has 2 signs of new growth)
Brand new to the site. I have been reading for several days now, and wanted to sign up and get some feedback on how I am doing. For years I have attempted to grow fly traps, unarmed with the knowledge and education needed. My plants would only last a couple months at most. A week ago I got two new plants and started reading as much information as I can. I read Steve's post, along with the novice and expert growing tips/guide. I poked over a few other threads too.
I don't want any more of these little guys to die do to my ignorance and lack of abilty to keep a plant alive.
1. Here's the details of my current plants (chewy and chompers). They were purchased and growing in very small containers a week ago.
2. I transplanted them and brushed off as much soil as possible before planting in about a 5" deep pot. (growers tips recommend 6") Will this be ok?
3. I only had peat, and didn't have sand or the silica material that was suggested. I soaked the peat well and made a good hole for the root and bulb. (bulb is covered)
4. I made the mistake of watering with tap water until today when I purchased two gallons of distilled water. Will these few days of tap water harm them?
5. I used a spray bottle with a mist setting to water them, and just gently spray the peat and plant. I was over watering before I read the care guide, and will reduce the amount of water they get.
6. I also made the mistake and added a few balls of matter magic fertilizer (since I'm growing tomatoes) and have since removed those fertilizer balls, because I read that is very bad.
7. I live in Pennsylvania, in a second floor apartment with a small deck. My plants only get direct sunlight through glass from sunrise till about 10:30am. I don't think this is enough light, but I'm afraid to put them on the deck with the gusty winds we might get, or flash thunder storms. Today I had off work and was able to place them outside for about 7 hours of direct sunlight, but I can't always do that.
8. Chewy had a long flower stem when it was purchased, about 5-6"s long. I read that they should be nipped before longer then 2"s. I nipped it prior to reading that. Will that cause the plant harm, is there any way to reverse the trama I might have caused? It was just a bud, and not a flower.
9. My plants are mildly pink, mostly green, and don't have that pretty redish pink color. Is that from a lack of light?
10. Chewy has only blrownish black leaf, and I read you can nip them or just let them decay. Is that a sign that the rest of my plant is dying since I nipped the flower stem?
11. Will my plants eat a whopper from BK? Just kidding...
I appreciate any and all help. And thank you to all who have posted information on this site. I found a lot of information, and things I have been incorrectly. I am hoping to be a successful fly trap grower this time around. I'm a little worried about the dormacy period, and that is how I lost my last two traps. They never came back. I'm sure I'll have more questions the closer to winter.
Pics of my plants:
Pic of Chewwy who had the flower stem:
The flower stem:
Chompers (looks better then Chewy, and has 2 signs of new growth)