simulating nature by alternating the water levels in a mini bog??

[cpbobby]

I was curious if alternating the water levels would yield any benefit? Also an easy way to keep up with it too...I can just follow the weather where I live. I'll maintain it at a 20% minimum to keep the media moist but when it rains; perhaps fill it to 50-80% depending on how much rain.

I would assume the fluctuations would encourage root growth. hmm i have 2 nearly identical rubra gulfensis.....perhaps I will put one in a normal mini bog maintained at a constant high level and the other in the mini bog I plan to fluctuate to see if there is any measurable difference in the 2 over time.

 

[Oregon VFT]

I would be interested to see the results over a year.

 

[cpbobby]

alirght...i just planted the 2 sarrs a few days ago so im gonna wait til I see some new growth before planting them again....i will have high water levels for a few days to help them with the shock but afterwards I will put them on the system. sucks bc I wanted to trade one of them ....but oh well.

 

[Exo]

Well, I have an in ground bog that naturally fluctuates based on the weather anyway, and it contains sundews, VFTs, and some sarrs. The sarrs seem to appreciate a lower water table sometimes...hot dry spells seem to boost growth as long as they aren't extended. The VFTs are the same way, and seem to enjoy a hot dryer spell around august or so. The sundews are the only ones that seem to do better with constantly wet soil...drier periods seem to stunt them.

 

[cpbobby]

interesting....is that only for temperate sundews or african ones as well? For now the dews will have to deal with the fluctuation and perhaps they will get their own pot when I get enough of them. Just looking at the pictures i thought i would like the sundews better but they do the dews alot of justice and hardly any to the sarracenia....they are much more beautiful plant in person. They also seem hardy and give a sense of feedback to let you know when you are doing something right or wrong without making you panic. plus they are serious gluttons

 

[Exo]

I was speaking of temperate sundews, south african sundews seem to appreciate a varying water table, as being constantly waterlogged tends to cause them to weaken and die....at least in my experience.

 

[cpbobby]

hmm perhaps i will have to break my dews into a couple pots before winter at some point. ya i remember reading somewhere that the african ones didn't care to be waterlogged. appreciate the input; i feel more confident that i am on the right track with these things....i will still split the gulfensis into a different pot just to get some kind of measurement in performance due to condition variance.

I do not expect a huge size difference but i do expect the root system to be superior for the variable water level gulfensis.

 

[Av8tor1]

That was one of my goals when I came up with my current watering system.
As the water drains out of the pot, fresh air naturally takes its place.... Likewise, as the water level in the pot increases, we displace any unwanted gases that may have accumulated.

Personally, I also feel that watering with highly oxygenated water is beneficial. I believe this comes closer to the benefits a good rain provides in nature.

IMHO this is why in-situ helis can thrive standing in water

But that is just my humble opinion...

 

[cpbobby]

oh i agree...i seen somewhere on here a did a hydroponic setup with a dionaea typical and for it's age it was massive and healthy. however I will add that the soil will never get dry in this setup but the actual water level....I installed fitting in it so if the mood and the budget are good, I will a low flow pump to make it a circulating bog at some point.