TERRARIUMS
Hi Stan! I have a terrarium,
with a Chinese Water Dragon. I have several plants in the terrarium:
a hibiscus, a couple hibiscus cuttings (now very small plants
- couple inches high), polka dot plants, spider (variegated),
palm, aloe vera, asparagus fern, and a croton. I had a kennel
worth ivy at the base of the asparagus fern but it died. (the
asparagus fern is at the furthest end from the heat area, so
the coolest part of the terrarium, 74 -5 degrees I would guess.
We have the terrarium set up ie: desert area (has basking light
and heat rock), and the other end is more tropical with the asparagus
fern, palm, lipstick ? (variegated green and yellow) - growing
right beside the water bath in the terrarium, started from a
cutting and really took off.
The temperature in the terrarium is likely 74-6 at night and
82 -90 in the day. The hibiscus, lately i.e. the past 3-4 months,
are just "sitting there" not a lot of growth, definitely
no blooms. Above the hibiscus is a florescent light, (this is
basically the half way mark in the terrarium between the desert
and tropics!)
I mist the terrarium and lizard about 3 - 4 times / week approximately
1 litre. (72 gallon terrarium - 5 feet long and 18 inches wide.
"soil" is about 3 inches deep and mounded around the
"plant balls" - I have moss on top of the plant balls,
basically to hide the roots. on top of the soil is crushed up
coconut bark - designed for "bedding" in terrariums.
My question - is what to do re: the hibiscus for blooming? The
terrarium is against a wall, and probably about 6 feet in from
a northwesterly bay window. .... So the hibiscus would probably
be 8 - 9 feet from the window? Any ideas, or should I just settle
for the foliage??! I'm open to any ideas you have, as long as
I don't have to do something with our "Lefty" the lizard!
Love your show Stan!?
Thanks a lot Stan! Take care!
Pat
(Edmonton)
Pat - An interesting letter.
With the number of plant combinations you have competing for
attention and nutrients, the inevitable is what's happening:
the plant world survives by dominating the nearest neighbour,
by producing and propelling enzymes through the soil to discourage
growth of other plants. This is done by altering the soil of
the interloping roots of the nearest plants.
The hybiscus should be removed and potted into it's own container.
High light and constant temps. of 72 or 75 degreesF. will encourage
growth, budding and at last, flowering.
Take care,
Regards to "Lefty" the lizard!
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