Recreating an artificial peat bog
What is a peat bog ?
Type of habitat harboring acidic peat bogs, Cameron lake, Alberta, Canada
Peat bogs are very complicated and fascinating natural habitats formed by the accumulation of plant materials in a mire. Acidic peat bogs comes from the transformation and accumulation of sphagnum spp. mosses along with other plants (Ericaceae...) and forms originally in a wetland or a lake where water is acidic (due to the composition of the bed rock, such as granite). On the other hand, various sedimentary bed rocks (limestone) transform ground and precipitation waters into an alkaline fluid, giving birth to alkaline peat bogs resulting from the accumulation of vegetation debris and other species of mosses.
In both cases, plant material is very little degraded or decomposed, because the bog is filled with cold fresh water that is rather low in oxygen and mineral nutrient, preventing microorganisms and other decomposer-animals from working. As a result, fast-growing mosses and plants stack to fill the swamp or lake, and give way to an anoxic habitat rich in organic matter but poor in mineral elements that are vital for most plants.
Throughout the evolution, some plants have however adapted to these inhospitable lands and have made up for the lack of mineral nutrients by getting the ability to capture, digest and draw mineral elements, principally from insects (and sometimes other small animals): they are carnivorous plants (rather called insectivorous)
However rich they can be, both types of bog support very different fauna and flora, but I decided to recreate an acidic peat bog, since most of carnivorous plants grow in them.
In both cases, plant material is very little degraded or decomposed, because the bog is filled with cold fresh water that is rather low in oxygen and mineral nutrient, preventing microorganisms and other decomposer-animals from working. As a result, fast-growing mosses and plants stack to fill the swamp or lake, and give way to an anoxic habitat rich in organic matter but poor in mineral elements that are vital for most plants.
Throughout the evolution, some plants have however adapted to these inhospitable lands and have made up for the lack of mineral nutrients by getting the ability to capture, digest and draw mineral elements, principally from insects (and sometimes other small animals): they are carnivorous plants (rather called insectivorous)
However rich they can be, both types of bog support very different fauna and flora, but I decided to recreate an acidic peat bog, since most of carnivorous plants grow in them.
Recreating a natural peat bog
Pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea)
Recreating a peat bog requires a little patience but is very rewarding. In the fall, I decided to dig a square-shaped hole (area: 2 square meters, depth: 90 cm). Once dug, I isolated the hole with a layer of river sand, a rug put upside-dow, another layer of sand, and eventually installed a plastic pond liner. Next, I set up waterproof wooden beams on the edges and wrapped the liner around so that no outside water or soil could get into the bog. Then, I tossed brown peat (acidic, ban fertilized or mineral-enriched peat) in the bog (more than expected because peat shrinks once wet) and wetted it with rain water (no tap water, but you can use demineralized water).
I placed carnivorous plants according to their size and growing conditions. I also introduced sphagnum moss, which is essential for certain species to multiply via their roots or tubers. It also prevents the peat from splashing away with the rain, or from drying out in summer. I also placed a bird mesh to deter them from picking up the sphagnum to build their nests. You can find plants and sphagnum at some specialized plant stores, but I highly recommend that you plant them in the fall, because they absolutely require wintry shutdown and rest. Now, according to the latitude you are living under, check the growing conditions of the plants you want to grow. I chose plants that could withstand harsh winters (-15°C for some time).
I placed carnivorous plants according to their size and growing conditions. I also introduced sphagnum moss, which is essential for certain species to multiply via their roots or tubers. It also prevents the peat from splashing away with the rain, or from drying out in summer. I also placed a bird mesh to deter them from picking up the sphagnum to build their nests. You can find plants and sphagnum at some specialized plant stores, but I highly recommend that you plant them in the fall, because they absolutely require wintry shutdown and rest. Now, according to the latitude you are living under, check the growing conditions of the plants you want to grow. I chose plants that could withstand harsh winters (-15°C for some time).
Carnivorous plants for seasonal latitudes
The parrot pitcher plant (Sarracenia psittacina) can bear frost
Contrary to what people generally think, a lot of carnivorous plants grow naturally under cold and temperate latitudes, since a lot of peat bogs are to be found there (Canada, Siberia...). And even if stores sell you carnivorous plants on stands next to cactuses, a lot of them can bear frost and snow. Here is what I recommend for temperate climates: pitcher plants like Sarracenia purpurea that fills with rain water, Sarracenia flava (trumpet pitcher), S. psittacina, S. minor, and a lot of cross bred. (I advise against growing S. leucophilla which prefers mild winters and humid air). you can also grow a lot of easy sundews: Drosera rotundifolia, D. binata, D. anglica, D. obovata (but not D. capensis or D. filiformis that are tropical sundews). Butterworts are also very easy to grow and can give you magnificent flowers in spring: Pinguicula vulgaris, P. alpina, P. grandiflora, P. corsica... . You can also grow hard ones: Darlingtonia californica which is really beautiful. You can also grow Utricularia sp. (bladderworts) although invasive. I recommend not to grow the Venus' flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) that demands mild winters, but especially humid air in the summer.
Plants usually emerge in late April / May, so be patient !
If you want more information about the care of carnivorous plants or other tips, you can visit this site : International Carnivorous Plant Society, or browse the internet.
Plants usually emerge in late April / May, so be patient !
If you want more information about the care of carnivorous plants or other tips, you can visit this site : International Carnivorous Plant Society, or browse the internet.