Inorganic Fertilizer Usage

[tzestan]

I setup an experiment to compare long-term effect of fertilizers on Nepenthes.

3 xVentrata cuttings were established from the same stem, and grown in the same pot. This removes factors such as genetics, soil, light... from biasing the results.

The cuttings were not started in exact same size.


One plant (the largest) is the control.

One plant (medium size) is fed with frozen bloodworm once every week.

The last one (smallest) is fertilized once every week with home mixed inorganic soluble salts including all major (N, P, K) and most minor (Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B, S, Cl, Mo) nutrients. Incompatible ions that would form insoluble compounds are delivered to different pitchers.

The setup has been running for 2+ months. Already I can notice some differences. The smallest plant is greener than the other 2, with control being the palest. The differences don't show up well in photo.


Ignore the irrelevant invading bical pitcher.


I'll continue it for at least 6 months before making conclusion. If there are really appreciable advantages, should be obvious by then.

Let me know if there are suggestions or anything overlooked...