Amorphophallus-Forum.de

Hello everyone

in the Karnivorenforum there was once a contribution on how to pull Sarracenia (hose plants) by up to 21 hours of lighting and plenty of fertilizer within a year from germination as large as with normal growth in 3 years.

Of course, the fertilizer played a role in this, but the lighting time of 21 hours a day was already extreme. The plants were completely pulled under artificial light, and were initially rather "soft", and had to be gradually accustomed to greenhouse culture.

Since my tropical species have now moved back to their winter quarters, where they are exclusively under artificial light, the topic became interesting for me again.

Hence my question: has anyone ever had any experience with this? Or read something about it?

Greetings, Ralf

Hello Sonja,

Let's put it this way: at least nothing has become known about any disadvantages, which does not automatically exclude them.

The fact is, sarracenia are extremely sought-after collector's items, and eye-catching and special plants/crosses/clones achieve prices in the 4-digit range. There is, of course, a great temptation to help happiness a little.

In Italy, enormous sarracenia have appeared, but they have been dressed in darkness or with far-off spot lighting. And this with plants that are extremely sun-hungry. However, those who are a little better at sarracenia have quickly noticed that there is something wrong and recognized the characteristics of a plant that has not grown quite healthy (keyword is horny). And in fact, there were more and more reports of where these plants were weak, and usually only of short lifespan.

I haven't heard or read anything about the very quick ones, but that doesn't mean there are no downsides. For my part, I would be wary of that.
Maybe I'll just try if I have enough tubers left:-))

Greetings, Ralf

Hello Michael,

In the Karnivorforum, the topic of light is also discussed again and again. There hasn't been any really enlightening thing for me. Most rave about a homemade led spotlight sold by a user there. I bought several of them, but they are already very exclusive. 75 euro for a 22 watt spotlight. However, the result is satisfactory.
But the numerous alternative proposals also clearly show that it is worth trying.

For example, Ikea's Växer is supposed to deliver acceptable services. I myself am quite satisfied with DIY leds, and since I made higher-quality LEDs into the wet room frame, even very satisfied. In terms of price, of course, everything is much cheaper. And with the rapid development of LEDs, the bulbs may not have to last that long, because there will soon be much better.

For my tubers I currently use the Roleadro in red/blue. The purple light is probably only partially suitable for living space, but in the price/ratio great (my opinion). I'm going to buy more of it than hibernation lighting for my seasonal plants.

I can't say anything about the tuber wax, I've only had it under it for a few weeks. Last year, however, I was quite satisfied for the short time. A titanium seedling has formed a beautiful tuber in a relatively short time.
Greetings, Ralf

Hello everyone

Bernhard, the theme of light comes up at least once a month. Since finding a direct link now is unfortunately quite pointless, especially since even the lighting experts do not agree.

I use besides the modified spotlights (it is an ordinary spotlight, as it is also available in every hardware store.) The hobbyists simply exchange the led chips for higher-quality Nichia-Leds, which supposedly have up to 180 lumens per watt (I mean at least to remember).

On tubes I use the standard wet room luminaires from the DIY market. As I said, so far in carnivores, and that is how it goes. Is already still air up, no question

The Amorphophallus are under red/blue spotlights... see how they develop. I want to put most of them out in the summer.

Trying out is essential. Today I dug up a few sauromatums, which got rather little sun. To my great astonishment, they have grown many times over... no idea how this happened. The leaves were much smaller than with the IGs, but the tubers grew super and really huge.

Greetings Ralf