Bog Garden
As a hobby I enjoy growing carnivorous plants. I have recently discovered how to turn this hobby into a garden. As of right now it is in a experiment stage, but it is growing quit well and eating alot. In this instructable I will show you how to raise North American species(Dionaea, and Sarraceniums) in a garden. These plants can stay out all winter if appropriate measures are taken that they do not freeze. My Bog is not mature yet and all of my plants are young so my garden doesn't look great but they are growing very well. All of my plants are also not in my garden, I only used the ones that had a high hardiness.
When you choose your plants you want t make sure that they have low humidity requirements, species like Nepenthes require humidity around 80%. This is also why I chose the North American species because they like 50% humidity, except the butter wort family and sun dews.
In my trails I have found that :
All the plants like high light, with direct morning sunlight.
Venus Fly Traps (Dionaea muscipula) will act as your warning plant for too little light and will start to grow long thin leaves connected to the traps
Sweet Pitchers (Sarracenia rudra-wherry) act as my water warning because they grow extremely fast and the new growth becomes curled when too dry.
Purple Pitchers (Sarracenia purpurea-venosa) act as my warning for too much light, the pitchers will sunburn on the new growth.
Tap water is also okay, so you can water them with a hose. However I live in the Midwest and water quality differs for everyone. If you live in a desert area don't use tap, too many salts! Also the traps are delicate, so mist the plants, not power wash.
When it is summer time you should water these plants every day or every other due the high evaporation rate during this time of year.
Materials needed:
Plastic container (no clay pots, these collect salt deposits)
Sand
Pee Gravel
Peat Moss
Carnivorous Plants
Planting Media: Carnivorous plants enjoy a soil medium that has good drainage, holds moisture well, and low in nitrogen. All North American plant species do very well in a 1:1 ratio by weight of sand and peat moss. Prior to mixing the sand needs to be washed to remove any salt, and the peat moss moistened. Then simply add the two proper weighed materials together and mix well. After this mixture has been made set it aside for the moment.
Preparing for Soil: The container itself should be selected to allow proper growth for the plants without cramping their development. With my container I selected a plastic mixing box measuring 24"x24" (60.96cm x 60.96cm) and about 5" deep (12.7cm). I chose this to allow plenty of room for experiments with my plants and seeing how they would grow. The size is relative for the amount of plants and what type. I would give each plant a 3" radius (7.62cm).
When you choose your plants you want t make sure that they have low humidity requirements, species like Nepenthes require humidity around 80%. This is also why I chose the North American species because they like 50% humidity, except the butter wort family and sun dews.
In my trails I have found that :
All the plants like high light, with direct morning sunlight.
Venus Fly Traps (Dionaea muscipula) will act as your warning plant for too little light and will start to grow long thin leaves connected to the traps
Sweet Pitchers (Sarracenia rudra-wherry) act as my water warning because they grow extremely fast and the new growth becomes curled when too dry.
Purple Pitchers (Sarracenia purpurea-venosa) act as my warning for too much light, the pitchers will sunburn on the new growth.
Tap water is also okay, so you can water them with a hose. However I live in the Midwest and water quality differs for everyone. If you live in a desert area don't use tap, too many salts! Also the traps are delicate, so mist the plants, not power wash.
When it is summer time you should water these plants every day or every other due the high evaporation rate during this time of year.
Materials needed:
Plastic container (no clay pots, these collect salt deposits)
Sand
Pee Gravel
Peat Moss
Carnivorous Plants
Planting Media: Carnivorous plants enjoy a soil medium that has good drainage, holds moisture well, and low in nitrogen. All North American plant species do very well in a 1:1 ratio by weight of sand and peat moss. Prior to mixing the sand needs to be washed to remove any salt, and the peat moss moistened. Then simply add the two proper weighed materials together and mix well. After this mixture has been made set it aside for the moment.
Preparing for Soil: The container itself should be selected to allow proper growth for the plants without cramping their development. With my container I selected a plastic mixing box measuring 24"x24" (60.96cm x 60.96cm) and about 5" deep (12.7cm). I chose this to allow plenty of room for experiments with my plants and seeing how they would grow. The size is relative for the amount of plants and what type. I would give each plant a 3" radius (7.62cm).
- Drill a hole at the bottom of the pot that is 1/4"D (0.635cm), this prevents the plants from drowning.
- Add 1" (2.54cm) of pre-washed pee gravel to help with drainage.
- Put 2" (5.08cm) of sand on top of gravel to prevent the soil from washing out.
- Add soil till there is a 1" (2.54cm) gap from the top of the container.
- Remove plants from containers (carefully) and add them to your new bog garden.