Todd Kramer

Really incredible. Thank you for sharing. 

Frank,

I had the exact same experience with the yellow leaves on my seedlings running under 6500k lights. They were slower to grow, didn't handle any change in temps or lighting well at all, and just didn't appear to thrive. I decided to give the other lights a try.

The first picture here is from October so roughly five months ago when I pulled my seedlings from under 6500k lights and then put them under the UVB, 420nm, and 460nm bulbs and the second picture is from yesterday. You can certainly appreciate the difference, I also feed quite heavily.

Most of these seedlings were planted from May-Aug so you can see the growth during that time frame. You can also see the just how yellowed they were vs. how green they currently are. 

I have found the cost on the front side of course being different than the standard 6500k bulbs but this is my hobby and much cheaper than building hot rods or something.

About seven months ago I switched over from 6500k T5s to Hortilux T5 PowerVeg bulbs. I run the UVB, 420nm, and 460nm bulbs and I have to say these have been an absolute game changer for me. I will never run anything different. 

I have noticed an increase in germination, a tremendous decrease in seedling mortality, and a notable increase in plant growth and overall vigor. The bulbs are more expensive on the front side but a small investment to make based on the performance of plant growth.

I had updated my post and removed the picture to maintain continuity with the post title but I will add the picture back in now that we are discussing the H. foricarum "Pumpkin" as well.

One thing that could sure be fantastic would be offering "auctions" of plants on here for site funding. I have seen other forums fund their fees in this manner and there are usually bids in excess of the item value to help support their given forums. Just an idea.

Jay, you are absolutely correct and I updated my post to reflect that. I was busy at work and taking little mental breaks reading and posting here and had my plants crossed up. Thank you very much for the information on those.

Thank you for the information, Frank. Good to know that H. sp. "Shoe Caudex" and H. sp. "Philippine Dwarf" are one in the same. Those both originated from Merlin Sy is that correct?
 

Jay,

Is this plant the same as your H. formicarum "Pumpkin"? I know Frank grows H. sp. "Philippine Dwarf" that Frank says is the same as your H. "Pumpkin". If that is the case the H. formicarum "Pumpkin" I have from you is fruiting like crazy at a very small size.

Have a great day.

Todd

 

Frank,

This is fantastic news. I know that you will do a great job.

You may want to look into vBulletin for the forum support. They aren't ad driven but the fees are minimal and the support is very good. Just a thought. I am sure the community can help with the fees.

Again, great news.
 

Todd



 

Looking fantastic, Jay. Thank you for the information on lighting in cultivation. Cory and have found that H. puffii appreciates lower light levels as well.

Jay,

That's fantastic. Your plants are grown exceptionally well. It's fantastic to see the plants thrive in cultivation.

Thank you for sharing.

Todd

Robert,

I personally think it is a great idea to expand the forum to draw in more attention, conversation, and participation. There are very few folks that I know that keep Ant Plants as a primary collection. A few in a collection are usually relegated to a back corner of a tropical greenhouse as a curiosity while the primary stage is taken up by orchids, aroids, or carnivorous plants.

The days of forums are starting to wane. Social Media is rapidly killing forum participation. That said there is still a need for a solid foundation of conversation and information.

For this forum to succeed there will need to be a sense of welcoming and participation, encouragement for conversation and to create the desire for people to return.

I am happy to help this forum grow and succeed to include donations to keep this forum going if needed.

 

Those are fantastic pictures, Derrick. Thank you for sharing.

That is absolutely fantastic. Especially here in the States.