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  #1  
Unread 09-23-2012, 06:39 PM
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Default Bath tub bog

Hi all,

I am a plant biologist student and have a unused bath tub. I have always had an interest in bog plants from my wetland classes and wanted to take a crack at it.

I have never done a terrarium before but I do keep several salt water reef and planted tanks. I am not sure if my plan falls in the the realm of terrariums or not but I thought you guys might want to take a look at it.

I have done some research and right now my simplified plan includes the following:
Line the bath tube and protect the plumbing.
Fill with about 6'' of sand.
Add a layer of live sphagnum.
Let establish.
Plant and be merry.

Simple enough right?

I do acknowledge I have a few holes in my plan.

I have read that the water level needs to be below the top of the sand but yet ever present. Does this sound about right? My plan would to use rainwater or distilled water through a perforated pipe system to replenish the water. Just bury the pipe in the moss?

I also read that sphagnum from a established bog is best. Where in the heck do I find that? I know where a few bogs are but they are on state land or not very easy to get to. Are there areas where sphagnum can be sustainably collected (I am in Lansing, Michigan)?

My main goal would be carnivorous plants and orchids. Are there any enviro friendly places in Michigan to get plants? I know you must have a permit for all orchids.

Organic mater layer yaa or naa? I was going with no organic material.

I plan on supplying bright light but I have a good handle on that.

It should be easy enough to keep the room warm year round and I do not think humidity will be a problem.

The tub is about 18'' deep

Thoughts? Concerns? Making any sense here?

Thank you thank you.

Dave

Last edited by Tuna15; 09-23-2012 at 06:47 PM..
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  #2  
Unread 10-09-2012, 11:02 PM
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Default Bath Tub or Laundry Tub Bog Set Up

Dave, I can appreciate where you are coming from but I think that there are several things that you need to consider in creating a bog out of an old bathtub or a laundry tub. First off. The plants should be purchased and not collected! Reason why is that nursery grown plants acclimate much more easily than wild collected plants which generally will not survive unless you have had extensive experience in making such transplants. Also you will not need a permit, if you can get one, or permission from landowners to collect. All you need is a link.
Here is one that you might find of interest.
Carnivorous Plants | Carnivorous Plant Nursery
Secondly, you need to keep in mind that a bog is not an enclosure that traps water. A bog is an active biological system through which water migrates and aeration is as important to bog plants as it is to terrestrial plants. So in order to grow bog plants in a tub you will have to have a system that allows for flow-through of water and return/priming of water. For a tub that means either the drain will be covered by a rust proof mesh through which water percolates into a collection basin or the drain is plugged and a collection basin is created in the bottom of the tub by the use of forced air heater filters sitting on a flourescent light egg crate screen that is supported by plastic braces that are tall enough to allow the placement of a water pump that will pump the water out of the basin which is being filled by the return water to which may be added additional water to maintain the water level in the basin with outflow being directed through soaker or spray nozzles. The use of spray nozzles will help maintain localized humidity.
Thirdly, the bog should consist of a deep layer of sphagnum moss or of peat moss. You can buy a large bag or bale of peat moss. Get it soaking wet and
press into the tub to within an inch of the top of the tub. In all cases use only distilled or r/o water.
Once the moss has been packed in let it set for a week and see if there is anything green appearing. If not check out the link above and buy some live sphagnum moss.
Here is a link to my experiences with creating a bog in a tub.
Bog Garden pictures by jwcimage - Photobucket
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: it is important to weed out any plant that you did not plant into the bog unless you are willing to let the bog go its own way. You may also have to remove plants that you plant into the bog if you are trying to grow a nice stand of sphagnum moss. If so, then I suggest that you only plant one or two other plants only and keep them trimmed to keep them from overgrowing and killing the sphagnum.
Do protect the bog from animals, including pets. I had to dismantle after raccoons literally tore my bog apart looking for something to eat!!!
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Unread 04-10-2013, 10:58 AM
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Default

josh's frogs is there tehy have lots of plants
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