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Hello from Houston, I need some HELP

H

HortGirl

Hi everyone,

I am a horticulture specialist. I am creating a carnivorous plant education exhibit. However, I do not have much experience with carnivorous plants. I work in Houston, Texas. I wanted to know what types of plants I should use? What type of substrate I should put them in? and any other specifics I would need to consider.

Thank you
 
There's info out there aplenty on the web and other sources. One thing to consider is a few months ago here in San Antonio, TX the botanical gardens had a carnivorous plant exhibit. The fellow who ran it might have some information on how they set up theirs. They bought their stuff from Calif**nia Car***ores. Buying your plants already planted would save you the trouble of mixing soil. If all else fails, a 50/50 washed sand and peat will do for most of your plants. Since you are in Texas, American pitchers plants would be a no brainer. The big box hardware stores might have some plants though not always the best source. Wherever your exhibit is going to be, plan to have fairly high humidity. Use low mineral content water when watering. Look up tray watering. Good luck!
 
How long is the exhibit and what kinds of conditions will the plants be staying in for its duration?

This will help us determine which kinds of carnivorous plants will be suitable for your needs. I also second the notion to purchase mature, potted plants from a reputable retailer. Purchasing bare-root materials will be cheaper, but you will also have to purchase pots/media and the bare-rooted plants will be subject to a brief period of transplant shock.

How long do you have to plan/grow plants before you need to create the exhibit and what is your approximate budget?

I would also suggest approaching local print shops to print out large posters with carnivorous plant photos as a backdrop.
 
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Thank you all for the reply. I will ask my supervisors these questions and get back to you.
 
There's actually a guy named Mike Howlett in Spring who operates a nursery dedicated to these plants. It may be worth your while to track down his contact info on google (sorry, can't post the business name here). I'm sure he'd be able to give you some relevant info.
 
Welcome, The Savage Garden is a book that everybody involved with CPs should own.
It contains growing information on most of the common, as well as uncommon, carnivores and also has ideas and suggestions for terrariums and bog gardens.

Good luck with the exhibit, and photos of the finished product would be awesome, if possible.
 
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Good luck with exhibit! Please post some pics once it's set up :bigthumpup:
 
It would help if we knew where you plan to have the exhibit. Humidity is important to some genera but not all of them, so if it is outside or a place with lower humidity you might be a little more limited in your options.
 
Welcome to TF! I'm sure that many of the hobbyists, here, would also be happy to send you plants. Depending upon what resources you have available to you, that would determine what can be effectively exhibited. For instance, if you want a terrarium setup, Asian pitcher plants (Nepenthes) would be impressive, as well as some sundews (Drosera), and easily flowering bladderworts (Utricularia). If you have access to a sunny window sill or a rack with artificial lighting, there are many others that will do well. Here are a few visuals:


Grow rack of 2 of the easiest sundews (D. capensis & D. binata)


Sunny window sill

Terrarium

Grow rack
 
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  • #10
Mhmm Subway !!
 
  • #11
It's a bit ghetto...
 
  • #12
Thank you for the help. We are going to create an outside educational exhibit. I have options on sun and the humidity is relative to Houston weather. I was thinking of creating a bog. In terms of how big the exhibit will be, for now I am allowed a 10' x 10' roughly and a few hundred dollars. However, if the exhibit is successful, I will be allowed to expand greatly with a much larger budget.

Let me know what y'all think.

Thanks again for the help.
 
  • #14
May I ask....is this for the Houston Arboretum and Garden Park North of town?
I am curious, as I worked on that project in the mid to late 80's.
 
  • #15
mato said:
There's actually a guy named Mike Howlett in Spring who operates a nursery dedicated to these plants. It may be worth your while to track down his contact info on google (sorry, can't post the business name here). I'm sure he'd be able to give you some relevant info.
Click to expand...
Agree with Mato, Mike has been growing CPs around Houston for years & has loads of valuable experience. Although he hasn't been on the forum for a while, his username is Houstonherp & he might still respond to a PM...
 
  • #16
I have been given approval to create the educational carnivorous plant exhibit at the Houston Zoo. I am currently working there as a horticulture specialist. I am grateful for all of your help. Please let me know if you have any more suggestions to make this a success. We would be grateful for any plant donations as well.
 
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