Cephalotus

[windcharm]

This is my newly acquired plants, Cephalotus!



Cephalotus is a genus which contains one species, Cephalotus follicularis, a small carnivorous plant. The pit-fall traps of the modified leaves have inspired the common names for this plant, which include Albany Pitcher Plant, Western Australian Pitcher Plant, fly-catcher plant or mocassin plant.

Cephalotus follicularis is a small, low growing, herbaceous species. Evergreen leaves appear from underground rhizomes, are simple with an entire leaf blade, and lie close to the ground. The insectivorous leaves are small, green, and have the appearance of moccasins, forming the 'pitcher' of the common name. The foliage is a basal arrangement that is closely arranged with outward facing adapted leaf blades. These leaves give the main form of the species, the height is around 200 mm.

The 'pitcher' trap of the species is similar to other pitcher plants. The peristome at the entrance of the trap has a spiked arrangement that allows the prey to enter, but hinders its escape. The lid over the entrance, the operculum, prevents rainwater entering the pitcher and thus diluting the digestive enzymes inside. Insects trapped in this digestive fluid are consumed by the plant. The operculum has translucent cells which confuse its insect prey as they appear to be patches of sky.

[Simon]

Apparently, cephalotus doesn't do well in our climate, I believe keeping it in a vivarium would be a challenge. But if you can resolve the ventilation and cooling for these babes, they would flourish for you. I have 1 pot each in my office and at home and the one in the office is flourishing, although with any additional lighting apart from the office lighting, it stays green but growing bigger. Same cannot be said for the one at home , looks like I have to bring to my office

[windcharm]

Apparently, cephalotus doesn't do well in our climate, I believe keeping it in a vivarium would be a challenge. But if you can resolve the ventilation and cooling for these babes, they would flourish for you. I have 1 pot each in my office and at home and the one in the office is flourishing, although with any additional lighting apart from the office lighting, it stays green but growing bigger. Same cannot be said for the one at home , looks like I have to bring to my office

Actually they love the sun too. Just need to ensure the media is moist and well drained.

[Simon]

Yes, they do love the sun, but they don't like the heat. Hence the pot that I have them in is non-glazed terracotta pot and huge to keep the roots cool and happy. In the wild, the roots reach the water table where fresh flowing water oxygenate the roots.

My plant in my office has been with me for months without additional lighting nor direct/indirect sunlight but they are growing fine, except there is no reddish pigment on them.

Did you get yours from Delwin?

[fotoudavid]

Sorry but you guys feed them with insects??? Just curious.

[Simon]

no, like most carnivorus plants in captivity, you do not have to feed them. However, I do pop in frozen bloodworm as a treat once a month, like I did for my butterworth, sundews. Overfeeding leads to the stop of pitching as the plant requires less pitcher to obtain nutrients, hence best to deny them of extra.

[windcharm]

Yes, they do love the sun, but they don't like the heat. Hence the pot that I have them in is non-glazed terracotta pot and huge to keep the roots cool and happy. In the wild, the roots reach the water table where fresh flowing water oxygenate the roots.

My plant in my office has been with me for months without additional lighting nor direct/indirect sunlight but they are growing fine, except there is no reddish pigment on them.

Did you get yours from Delwin?

I am keeping them near to a little pond and water feature at my balcony. Hopefully this can keep up the humilty. Exposure them to some sunlight (filter sunlight preferably, they will turn red.

Sorry but you guys feed them with insects??? Just curious.

Sometime if I manage to catch some, I will feed them. Else they are just fine without insects. Insects are like supplements to them. These plants still get about 70% of the nutrients from the soil.

[fotoudavid]

Thanks for the enlightening.

[Simon]

I'm seated next to the window but no sunlight , but at least the plant is growing which is good enough for me. Ironically, even in an air conditioned environment, I only have to wet the plant once a week. Too much water cause root rot, I lost a few previously because of irregular watering patterns

[windcharm]

I'm seated next to the window but no sunlight , but at least the plant is growing which is good enough for me. Ironically, even in an air conditioned environment, I only have to wet the plant once a week. Too much water cause root rot, I lost a few previously because of irregular watering patterns

You can try to use a "wick" method to draw the water up media. Have a small contain with cover (dao hua's contain). Make a small hole at the center of the cover and insert the wick. Push the wick into the media (close the root of the plants from the bottom of the pot. In this way, you do not need to keep watering the plants, no excessive water in the media, no irregular watering.

[Simon]

don't need to, since the plant is used to the once a week regime

[limz_777]

does it have a dormant period ?

[Simon]

yes, temperate carnivorous plants goes into dormancy. However, in our climate where there is no sudden change, you wouldn't see much of a difference especially when the cephalotus is such a slow grower.

Do google it and you should find some information on them, however there is a lack of information for growing them in our climate. Most information are from temperate countries and they do exhibit certain signs of dormancy

[davwong]

Nice plant you got there and nice to see you here too....

[windcharm]

Nice plant you got there and nice to see you here too....

Hey, nice to see you too Seem like we share some common interests.

[Delwin]

I would strongly not suggest water wick, the salt will build up.
If you want to plant it inside a tank, make sure there are thicker media with a false bottom. the water in the reservoir must be flush out bi monthly. The media suggest is pine bark : peat : lapis sand. Ratio 1:1:1.
Do not water on top of the Ceph, water around it. Domant is not a must, unless you want it to flower. Simon is right, dont over feed it. If you want to plant it inside a terrarium, the best you can plant it inside your bed room or office. When lights on, they can take high temperture. When lights off, make sure there is a drop of 10 degree +-. You had to fix extra big fans to move the air when the lights is on. When lights off, set the timer an extra hour to blow out the hot air.
Tips: If you want clour and big pitchers, add a 5000k PL 36watts around one feet away from the ceph. Make sure it is atleast 25 degrees all round tempreture. You will get big, bushy and colourful pitchers
Sorry for my english.

[Delwin]

This is my newly acquired plants, Cephalotus!



Cephalotus is a genus which contains one species, Cephalotus follicularis, a small carnivorous plant. The pit-fall traps of the modified leaves have inspired the common names for this plant, which include Albany Pitcher Plant, Western Australian Pitcher Plant, fly-catcher plant or mocassin plant.

Cephalotus follicularis is a small, low growing, herbaceous species. Evergreen leaves appear from underground rhizomes, are simple with an entire leaf blade, and lie close to the ground. The insectivorous leaves are small, green, and have the appearance of moccasins, forming the 'pitcher' of the common name. The foliage is a basal arrangement that is closely arranged with outward facing adapted leaf blades. These leaves give the main form of the species, the height is around 200 mm.

The 'pitcher' trap of the species is similar to other pitcher plants. The peristome at the entrance of the trap has a spiked arrangement that allows the prey to enter, but hinders its escape. The lid over the entrance, the operculum, prevents rainwater entering the pitcher and thus diluting the digestive enzymes inside. Insects trapped in this digestive fluid are consumed by the plant. The operculum has translucent cells which confuse its insect prey as they appear to be patches of sky.

Bro, where you bought your ceph???
If from world farm or from YG, please change the media and isolate your ceph from your other ceph. Because YG ceph verally easy to get mildew.
Cure it first before you put it together with your other cephs. If the media is consist of LFS, you need to repot it to the media i suggested above. Also change the pot as what Simon done

[Simon]

Ask delwin, he is the man for cephalotus

[Delwin]

Ask delwin, he is the man for cephalotus

Glad to know that atlast your cephs are doing well
If any question can pm me, because my english no good, scare get ban

[windcharm]

Bro, where you bought your ceph???
If from world farm or from YG, please change the media and isolate your ceph from your other ceph. Because YG ceph verally easy to get mildew.
Cure it first before you put it together with your other cephs. If the media is consist of LFS, you need to repot it to the media i suggested above. Also change the pot as what Simon done

Hi Delwin, I got it from WF. I just bought some coconut chips and soil. Planning to have a 50%/50% mix, is this recommended?