Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

Hi all
Just planning for a 4ft terrarium(scaping). I am currently collecting and planning for this terrarium. Looks like this now

https://forum.petpitcher.net/attachme...1&d=1260415992

It eventually will become a nice scape, a terrarium made to look like nature instead of one that is made to collect plants.

Thinking of replacing the fern with a center piece pitcher plant. Side to fill up with amps and probably utrics/live spagnum moss.

My ideas are still very early now. I am still collecting plants for this purpose.

Just want to open up for suggestion for nice terrarium suitable plants. I know amps are very suitable because of its eventual compact carpeting growth. Any other plants that behaves this way?

BTW. The aquarium is 4ft L X 2 ft H. It is only 1.5ft deep.

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

One question, how much light are you giving for this terrarium?? IMHO, this is one of the important factor to decide which neps will do well in the terrarium in the long run.

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

Lots. Really lots of lights... ;-)

Ok. The plan,
1) 55W X 4 at least, 12hrs.
2) If not enough, add 2 more.
3) If still not enough, 150W MH X 2 for 4 hrs. Don't wanna do this as MH light is hot.

My guess, (1) should be enough.

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

BTW. A picture of the whole setup now.

https://forum.petpitcher.net/attachme...1&d=1260421130

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

Wow... in that case maybe too much light for N. ampullaria.... but droseras, utrics and LSM should love it.

Other L/L neps that you can probably try is N. gracilis and N. distallatoria, I suggested these because it can tolerate direct sunlight and will produce basals carpet like N. ampullaria. N. ampullaria can still grow in high light level but the coloration of the pitcher might get bleached out unless you grow those green amps.

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

Thanks for the advice. Guess I can easily reduce the light. But it is hard to spread the light if I reduce. 1 4ft casing comes with 2X55W. I guess an alternative is using old bulbs, with lower intensity. Meaning, I don't have to change as often as well. Will adjust during the growing period.

Will look up gracilis and distallatoria pictures. Thanks for the advice.

What about the main larger plant to replace the fern/weed. I was thinking about Veitchii, which is one of my favourite plant. Something that is compact growing. Something that don't grow too tall. Something showy, as it will be the main attraction.

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

The thing about most veitchii is they need high humidity but like their roots on the dry side. You can try to grow the veitchii epiphytically by sticking it on a piece of drifwood (like orchid) and it should do well in a terrarium.

Most nep will eventually vine, just a matter of time, so keep your pruning scissor handy...

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

i'd would recommend n. amp, n. distillatoria, n. adnata & n. bellii. these are some of the smaller growing species. For N. amp, you'd have to trim every once in a while for sure but N. bellii i'm not sure if it'd do well in a terrarium. N. sp. 'viking' or the thai tigers should do well too.

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

I've got also a lowland terrarium. You'll notice how big amps will get in a relativ short time. I had to take them out of my 1m x 1m x 1m terrarium because they were too big. Bellii and adnata is for sure a good choice. Campanulata is ideal. Also northiana and sumatrana because of there slow grow habit aren't bad.

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

Well, I've made progress, it is considered 80% complete. The picture I manage to take is during 50% complete, ie. I've cleaned the terrarium, arranged the driftwood, arranged the plants (planted some).

Remaining pictures, which hopefully I'll take these few days will be the current state. Shown picture below is taken on 7/Feb.

Anyways, here it is.
https://forum.petpitcher.net/attachme...1&d=1267894535

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

I heard that you have nice nice nepenthes in there after Feb2010... Take photo faster and split poison to here!!!!:1thumbup:

The pitcher currently at photo is so big and healthy
- landscape point of view --> too big and looks weired ( since we are from same background *biggrin2* )
- healthy of the plant --> cool!!!! How I wish my plant produce such big pitcher...

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

You making a swamp type terra?? Because there's water below...amp likes swampy media :D

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

CJ, your terrarium looks so natural!! I see veitchii and ventricosa x sibuyanensis in there...must be highland terrarium...:1thumbup:

I suppose you're not using a chiller for this are you??

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

CJ,
I like your terrarium very much!Perhaps add some greenery into it?

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

ur brio looks great !! adding some live moss will look even better

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

Oh well, those pitcher are YG produced. Just in time for CNY. Now the challenge comes, hot seasons. :(

You know what, I find out that the typical way (put hardscape then softscape), does not work on nep. Nep pitchers is the one that needs to be arrange as those are the central attractions. I resorted to put softscape first, then hardscape. In fact, I think to maintain a nice landscape is hard as we cant dictate how the pitchers grow.

The water is leftover after I wash my terrarium. I have since then clear it away. If I only have amp, that water is great but I have others, so have to clear the water away.

Heh heh, not highland. Cross my finger for these few months. These 2 have new pitchers though, looking forward to see them. However, don't think it will be as large as YG ones. ;;)

Yup, just before CNY, I've added lots of moss. Just did not have time for picture yet.

There are a couple of stuffs left to do in this project. Gonna need to:-
1) Install ventilation
2) Install a drain/watering system.
3) Timers for (1), (2) and lights.

Any suggestions guys/gals?

BTW. Give me some time, I'm gonna take closeups and the latest pictures, hopefully I can squeeze some time this week.

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

ventilation is easy wit hthe usage of 12V DC fan an ac/dc adapter hooked up to a timer

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

Fan should be inside or outside of terrarium? I guess if outside, humidity of terrarium will decrease. If inside, fan spoil quite easily right?

Re: Nepenthes suitable for this terrarium
 

since u have lighting over the tank, the temperature inside the tank will be slightly 0.5-1C higher than outside. You may try to mount the fan on the surface of the tank, sucking hot air out, cold air will go into the tank automatically, hence improving ventilation. At the same time, you may need to check the humidity inside the tank with a humidity meter, take note at the reading during the fan is on and off.

You may also blow air into the tank by reversing the fan, and again. check the humidity meter to see which type of installation is best for u.

just my 2 cents