Hi all,
I've been keeping carnivorous plants for about a year (and stalking these forums almost as long). In the past, I've had success mostly with keeping plants outdoors (VFT, Sarracenia mutts, temperate sundews), although I've had a N. sanguinea doing wonderfully for me growing right besides my orchids. No shock to anyone, but cp's have really wormed their way into my heart and it's time to expand.
Ultimately, I'm debating between two options for lowland-type growing setups. In either case, I'm looking to get into growing tropical and subtropical sundews, mexican pings, and lowland Nepenthes. I would love to try my hand at Cephalotus and Heliamphora, but I think it's a couple years down the line before I get into more delicate/highland species.
Option 1: 40 gallon breeder aquarium converted into a front opening enclosure with good airflow (I've raised hundreds of frogs so this isnt as difficult as it sounds). The enclosure would then sit on top of a 3'T x 3'L x 1.5'D metal rack, wrapped in plastic. The smaller plants with more precise humidity needs would go in the tank, the bigger Nepethes on the highest shelf in the rack (with a couple more light demanding orchids), leaving a bottom shelf to store supplies / germinate seeds.
Option 2: a full 6' T x 3' L x 1.5" D growing rack, completely wrapped in plastic sheeting with zipper access. Air (entering through a vent on the bottom) would be pulled up through the rack by a box fan hooked up to a thermostat. my plan for humidity is placing a humidifier on the top shelf or plumbing it in through the top. I'd love to do 6x4x2, but I don't have the space.
So, from y'all's experience, what would give me the most options? Thanks in advance.
I've been keeping carnivorous plants for about a year (and stalking these forums almost as long). In the past, I've had success mostly with keeping plants outdoors (VFT, Sarracenia mutts, temperate sundews), although I've had a N. sanguinea doing wonderfully for me growing right besides my orchids. No shock to anyone, but cp's have really wormed their way into my heart and it's time to expand.
Ultimately, I'm debating between two options for lowland-type growing setups. In either case, I'm looking to get into growing tropical and subtropical sundews, mexican pings, and lowland Nepenthes. I would love to try my hand at Cephalotus and Heliamphora, but I think it's a couple years down the line before I get into more delicate/highland species.
Option 1: 40 gallon breeder aquarium converted into a front opening enclosure with good airflow (I've raised hundreds of frogs so this isnt as difficult as it sounds). The enclosure would then sit on top of a 3'T x 3'L x 1.5'D metal rack, wrapped in plastic. The smaller plants with more precise humidity needs would go in the tank, the bigger Nepethes on the highest shelf in the rack (with a couple more light demanding orchids), leaving a bottom shelf to store supplies / germinate seeds.
Option 2: a full 6' T x 3' L x 1.5" D growing rack, completely wrapped in plastic sheeting with zipper access. Air (entering through a vent on the bottom) would be pulled up through the rack by a box fan hooked up to a thermostat. my plan for humidity is placing a humidifier on the top shelf or plumbing it in through the top. I'd love to do 6x4x2, but I don't have the space.
So, from y'all's experience, what would give me the most options? Thanks in advance.