im trying to build a terrarium/bog out of 5 gallon aquarrium tank. im would like to grow vfts, pitcher plants, and maybe some sundews. i have absolutly no clue where to start so any and all comments, instructions, hints, or tips are extremely welcome and needed. i live in south east new hampshire, if that is any help. thanks guys.
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New terrarium help
- Thread starter man_in_black
- Start date
The only pitcherplants that you're likely to have success with in a terrarium are S. purpurea or S. psittacina - the others require more light as/and they are much taller (too tall for a tank).
VFTs and sundews are fine, because they are small enough.
You'll want to choose temperate sundews, because a tropical can't deal with the same conditions that the pitcherplant and flytrap will require at different times of the year.
You will need to allow the tank to sit around 40 degrees for about 3 months during the winter, to allow the plants to go dormant. Since you are in New Hampshire, that shouldn't be too difficult in a garage or basement.
Alternatively, you could stick to tropical sundews and then you wouldn't need dormancy. But pitcherplants and flytraps will fail in the long run without a cool period.
I use a soil of 3 parts peat to 1 part coarse sand with great results in my bog for these plants.
Light will need to be very strong. Keep in mind that these plants enjoy full sun. The brightest light you can provide is best - there is no such thing as too much light in this case.
Have you considered, instead, building a mini-bog? Pitcherplants are always happier outdoors. In your climate, it would require winter protection. S. purpurea purpurea is very cold hardy, though, and should live outside just fine.
- Patrick
VFTs and sundews are fine, because they are small enough.
You'll want to choose temperate sundews, because a tropical can't deal with the same conditions that the pitcherplant and flytrap will require at different times of the year.
You will need to allow the tank to sit around 40 degrees for about 3 months during the winter, to allow the plants to go dormant. Since you are in New Hampshire, that shouldn't be too difficult in a garage or basement.
Alternatively, you could stick to tropical sundews and then you wouldn't need dormancy. But pitcherplants and flytraps will fail in the long run without a cool period.
I use a soil of 3 parts peat to 1 part coarse sand with great results in my bog for these plants.
Light will need to be very strong. Keep in mind that these plants enjoy full sun. The brightest light you can provide is best - there is no such thing as too much light in this case.
Have you considered, instead, building a mini-bog? Pitcherplants are always happier outdoors. In your climate, it would require winter protection. S. purpurea purpurea is very cold hardy, though, and should live outside just fine.
- Patrick
how deep would the soil need to be if i plant something in the tank? and to keep it wet, do i just pour water over the whole thing or is there some other trick?
the mini bog sounds neat... but i dont know if i can do it in my yard. i think most of the space is already taken up by gardens.
thanks agian
the mini bog sounds neat... but i dont know if i can do it in my yard. i think most of the space is already taken up by gardens.
thanks agian
jimscott
Tropical Fish Enthusiast
Clint
Stay chooned in for more!
you cant grow nepenthes with the other plants you wanted. they need different requirements. you could grow the temperates there during their gorwing season, then take them out for dormancy. nepenthes get pretty big so you'll have to choose smaller species if you choose to take the temperates out in the winter.
why dont you just grow temperates outside year round? if its too cold in NH, then you can protect them with mulch or something.
why dont you just grow temperates outside year round? if its too cold in NH, then you can protect them with mulch or something.
