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Post by mitchelldavis76 on Feb 17, 2011 10:12:35 GMT 7
I just got a new ceph, and I'm looking for the right sand to use. I know silica is the best, but can't find it locally. I can order it, but I have to buy it in bulk and shipping is a lot. I had a friend give me quartz sand, but I'm not sure it is safe to use. Will it work? Or does any one have a lead on silica sand?
Any info helps.
Mitchell
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Post by maxposwillo on Feb 17, 2011 12:27:59 GMT 7
Hey Mitchell,
I use the "Play Sand" you can find at Home Depot for my Cephs, Sundews, and Sarracenia and they do fine. I believe it contains a large portion of silica and is only a couple dollars for a 50 pound bag.
Max
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Post by mitchelldavis76 on Feb 17, 2011 13:16:51 GMT 7
Hey Max, Really!?!?!?  All I've been told about "Play Sand" is that it kills CP's and "Do not use it!". I hear it leaches out minerals like crazy and in time, will kill your plants. How long have you used it? Do you know if pure quartz sand is OK? Thanks. Mitchell |
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Post by mitchelldavis76 on Feb 18, 2011 5:29:32 GMT 7
After a few PM's from some very helpful veteran ceph growers, I've been told that the quartz sand is OK to use. So with that said... Here it is. ;D  It looks really happy in it's new mix. See the smile.   Now I just hope it doesn't shock to bad. I'll post an update at a later date. Thanks again everyone. Mitchell |
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Post by Nepaholic on Feb 18, 2011 18:10:06 GMT 7
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Post by mitchelldavis76 on Feb 18, 2011 23:35:46 GMT 7
Hi Jens,
I was wondering if I could skip the sand.
I wound up using 2 parts peat, 1 part perlite and 1 part quartz sand.
So I have one more question... how big do pitchers get on a 'Typical' ceph? I bought the plant as a 'Typical', but pitchers are currently 2 inch and the seller said they have been up to 2 3/4 inch for him. I asked if it could be 'Hummers Giant' and he didn't know, so he just called it 'Typical'. How can I tell the difference between the two?
Mitchell
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Post by Nepaholic on Feb 18, 2011 23:46:38 GMT 7
Mitchell, no idea how to see a different.
I also grow diferent forms but it is hard to see.
The plant with the coin i bought as hummers giant. The i forms who have a "M" or a "W" under the lock and some others like eden black.
Most plants are just slightly different in colours.
But please dont trust al the urban legends on the net with watering and repotting.
When i repot theplants i just break them out of the pots where also some roots get destroyed and split them before potting up again...
Cephs also tend to make bigger pitchers in"lower" light levels...
hope this helped little bit
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Post by mitchelldavis76 on Feb 19, 2011 3:15:00 GMT 7
Hi Jens,
It is hard to tell what I have. The pitchers are about the same size as your 'Hummers Giant', but the seller said he grew them in a tank under lights (Which explained the lack of color). Once they get real sunlight for a while, maybe I'll be able to see a difference.
Thank you for your input.
Mitchell
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Post by sirkristoff on Feb 19, 2011 5:29:05 GMT 7
Mitchell - i would not quite say that because he grew them under lights, that that would be the reasoning with the coloration, much more goes into it than just lights, several people including myself have noticed the plants get darker coloration in cooler temps as well... But as to why i would not throw out lighting as being the card in this, is because i grow my cephalotus' under lights, and all vary greatly in color, this being the most colorful...  |
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Post by sirkristoff on Feb 19, 2011 5:47:25 GMT 7
idk how it double posted some near 20 minutes apart lol but if a mod views this, please remove.
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Post by mitchelldavis76 on Feb 19, 2011 6:05:36 GMT 7
SK, I do see your point and maybe I should have phrased it differently. I know they can be grown to perfection under lights, depending on what lights one uses. In this case, I only meant that they weren't grown in full sun. But I must say your ceph looks fantastic. How big do your pitchers get? Mitchell |
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Brat
Full Member
The best way to stay sane is to be insane!
Posts: 158
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Post by Brat on Feb 19, 2011 7:20:40 GMT 7
Cool cephs, sk!  I've had cephs grow that big, and I use a tank with indoor lighting. Not exactly that colorful, but that's okay.  I think the "lumens" in the light is a big factor. When I used regular grow lights, my plants just sat there, grew, killed off a few pitchers, and so on. The pitcher size would vary from tiny to so-so. I switched over to using four compact lights that each release about 5000 "lumens" or "K", and not only do they grow larger, but I even get some color out of them. ;D |
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Post by sirkristoff on Feb 19, 2011 9:22:55 GMT 7
the traps on this particular ceph arent very big, little over an inch...
while in comparison, my hummers giant has some 2" traps under the same lighting/conditions and in the same soil, Mitch, did your plants come from Dennis Hastings? if so, and its the typical, than chances are you have the same clone as the one photographed above, so expect some nice dark pitchers.
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Post by walterg on Feb 19, 2011 9:25:48 GMT 7
Go to a swimming pool supply store and get a bag of filter sand. Rinse it a few times.
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Post by mitchelldavis76 on Feb 19, 2011 10:31:20 GMT 7
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All I've been told about "Play Sand" is that it kills CP's and "Do not use it!". I hear it leaches out minerals like crazy and in time, will kill your plants. How long have you used it? Do you know if pure quartz sand is OK?
I've had cephs grow that big, and I use a tank with indoor lighting. Not exactly that colorful, but that's okay. 
just built new grow room and tons of pitcher shots!