A bog is pretty much nothing more than waterlogged organic matter like sphagnum. Bogs don't have pumps or filters. Bogs, for all practical purposes, have no drainage. Bogs are nutrient deficient and the plants best suited for them have adapted to this type of an environment. I prefer acid bogs but I do have one fen.
To start, determine what you will want to line your bog with. EPDM pond liner, roofing liner, kiddie pools, or anything that isn't metal. The first bog I created was made from a round kiddie pool that was about 14" deep. Some people convert their former ponds to bogs so basically anything goes.
Pick a site that preferably gets about 6 hours of sun a day if not more. Have fun digging. I chose to set my kiddie pool in sand to best level it but there are other ways to do this. I think if I had to do it all over again, I'd use Firestone roofing liner for that bog as I would be able to get a more interesting shape as opposed to basic round.
OK now you have a nice hole in the ground that has some sort of a liner in it. I like acid bogs so these directions are for an acid bog. For the 14" depth, I filled the bottom with silica sand up to about 4". From there I added my baled sphagnum. Now you will have to begin the arduous process of adding water. Oh what fun!
Water is an issue in a bog. Preferably, one would want rain water. Never use tap water. I was fresh out of rain water and had not begun to gather it from my gutters so I used bottled distilled water for set up. Distilled water is the only alternative to rain water in my humble opinion. There is a method to the madness. A man who has forgotten more than I have ever known about bogs told me to never ever ever use anything but rain water or distilled water because, "TAP WATER WILL KILL A BOG GARDEN IN A SEASON AS WILL ANY SORT OF FERTILIZER!" Sorry to shout in this thread but that is how he wrote it to get his point across to me. OK, he's right. I checked it out and the truth of the matter is that minute amounts of dissolved minerals picked up from the air is how natural bogs are formed and is their only source of nutrients. Well, start adding your water now. Your bog will need to be anaerobic. This means you have to work out all the air. Sphagnum likes to hold air. The man who helped me told me to get in the bog and start stomping around in it as if I was squishing grapes for wine. I stomped it, squished it, kneaded it with my hands and I tell you it was sort of fun even though I felt as if the sand was removing layers of my skin. I added more sphagnum and added more distilled water until I brought the mixture up to the rim of the kiddie pond. Then it was time to work in pine needles. I chose white pine needles because they were what was recommended as a source of acid however there are other sources of acid that may work equally well. I added 3 grocery bags full of white pine needles to my bog. I did take a scissors and cut them in half. These pine needles will prick you and they left hives and welts all over me when I was mixing them in. I am not into pain so It would be my recommendation to not add the pine needles until after you have mixed the sand, water, and sphagnum to a consistency of a German Chocolate Cake batter consistency. By the way, it is perfectly natural for the majority of the sand to settle to the bottom.
That's really all there is to an acid bog. Now select your plants and try real hard to make sure that your sources are propagating and not wild collecting the plants they offer for sale. I am told it takes about 2 years to establish a bog. I wish the friend who held my hand while I created my first bog was a member here as he was such a wealth of information and truly was an inspiration. I have no doubt there is so much more he could add. I feel like a little kid trying to walk around in my Mom's high heels so please remember I am the student not the master. My bogs are only in their first year so I am totally new to this but still loving my carnivorous plants and bog orchids and the environment I created for them.
Basic Bog set up for Toxicodendron
Wonderful advice, Equilibrium. I am going to print this out and follow your advice when I start mine. I am looking forward to more posts by you on this subject.
Thank you!
Pax
Thanks Lauren!
I have a frog pond that I might consider turning into a bog some day.
Let us know how yours is doing, and what kind of plants you have if you don't mind.
Susan
Tough question as to what I planted in my bogs! You are making me think! I will probably miss a few but lemme give it my best shot at getting a list for you. My zone is 5 so you gals should probably be fine with whatever I planted as you all are zone 6's. I really need to get the BogMan over here to DG as I am way out of my league if people are looking for informative posts from me. I'm, just too new to carnivorous and acid bog plants. He maintains entire lists of best plants. He also has some pretty wild and bizarre plants growing in his bogs. The type that make you think eeeew, whatdidya wanna plant that in there for BUT, it works and the display is magnificent when you see it all come together. He has some extremely poisonous plants that are intensely beautiful. Too risky for me with kids but some day when the kidlets are gone and have cut the apron strings...
The very first plants I put in my bog were a gift from my friend the BogMan, they were Nodding Ladies Tresses. He sent me a few other goodies to get me going too. I have been eternally grateful as I have a new obsession now.
Since then I have added more of my favorite Nodding Ladies Tresses- Spiranthes cernua
And-
White Grass Pink Orchid- Calopogon pallidus (A favorite)
Pink Lady Slipper- Cypripedium acaule
Water Spider Orchid- Habenaria repens
American Cranberry- Vaccinium macrocarpus
Bog Clubmass- Lycopodium inundatum
Bog Violet- Viola lanceolata
Blue Flag Iris- Iris virginica var. shrevei
Corkscrew Rush- Genlisea lobata x violacea
Nodding Wild Onion- Allium cernuum
I am missing some I planted but they are mostly an assortment of White Cyps. I don't have good luck with these plants so we'll see if they even come back next year.
I had a water mint (Mentha aquatica) out there but those things took off like a banshee within about 3 weeks so I ripped them out. I was too afraid to leave them where they were as I have a natural wetlands/marsh area and could not risk them establishing somehow over in that area. Remind me to never ever ever plant a mint even if it is a native.
Here's a list of my carnivorous bog plants-
Tall Pitcher "Texan"- Saracenia alata Texan (it's poking through leaves and not looking too great right now)
Tall Pitcher Tarnok- S. leucophylla x ?
Another Tall Pitcher- S. flava var. maxima
Another Tall Pitcher- S. leucophylla
Another Tall Pitcher- S. oreophila x leuco
Purple Pitcher Plant- S. Purpurea
Judith Hindle- S. x Judith Hindle
Cape Sundew, white form- Drosera capensis
Lance-Leaf Sundew- D. adelae (wasn't looking too good last time I saw it)
King Sundew- D. regia
Thread-Leafed Sundew, white form- D. filiformis filiformis
Venus Flytrap- Dionaea muscipula typical
Venus Flytrap- D. muscipula All Green
Venus Flytrap- D. muscipula Green Dragon
Venus Flytrap- D. muscipula Red Dragon
Venus Flytrap- D. muscipula Piranha (wasn't looking too good last time I saw it)
I know I have another Sundew out there but for the life of me I can't think of what it is. With the heavy frosts, I've begun to layer leaves in and around them as my plants were so darn small and frail I was afraid I'd lose some. Anyway, I can't go out there and start rooting in and around them to see what's in there right now. All I can see are a few Saracenias poking up through the leaves. Depressing!
I'm looking to add-
S. rubra var. gulfensis all green
S. rubra sub. wherryi
S.oreophila X alata
So there's my list! All other than the cyps were planted this year so I should be able to figure out what is going to make it and what won't by sometime next year. I suspect the vast majority of the Saracenias as well as the Droseras are going to make it even though they were teenie tiny when I first planted them. The Dionaeas might be a little touch and go but I'll have to wait it out. Most of the non carnivorous plants should be fine other than the cyps which have always given me a run for my money anyway.
Gosh this is going to be fun if there are more people out there who want to go for bogs!
I noticed you had several Pitcher Plants on your list.
I've been looking at getting some of these for a long time, but I didn't know much about them, particularly overwintering them.
Everyone at the nurseries tell me never to plant them outdoors, but I think that's just because there are so many varieties that only grow in Zone 7 and above.
Recently I've seen several in catalogs marked as zone 5, but will they really overwinter in the bog? I was afraid they would freeze out, and I would have to get them out of the bog to keep their crowns from freezing (like too many of my other aquatics).
I see that you only planted them this year, but if you or your friend know better, I'd love to give them a try!
Hi lego, I know of several other people who have Saracenias in zone 5 that are doing quite well outside year round. You merely need to watch where you purchase them from and you do definitely have to stay away from any type of tropical pitcher. Right now is the time to get a few in the ground otherwise you will have to wait until spring. S. purpurea is probably a native to your area as will be a few others. I e-mailed my friend and he is going to join DG so if you can just hold on for a few days, he'll be better able to answer your question and will even be in a postion to recommend sources and specific plants. For now, I'd have to encourage you to check out Botanique and The Carnivorous Plant Nursery. Both should be listed at Garden WatchDog. I have ordered from both before and both send quality plants with a guarantee and both are very knowledgeable and both toss in extra plants. Me, I like to order the same plant from 2 different sources to strengthen gene pools but then that's just me.
You mentioned bog and aquatics in the same sentence. Lots of people have pea gravel "veggie filters" attached to their ponds. Is this where you were planning on planting Saracenias? Aquatics will do fine in that type of a set up but I doubt seriously if the pitchers will. I suppose you could try it. I do all kinds of experiments to play and learn and I kill lots of plants. I don't do it intentionally, it just sort of happens when I am screwing around and pushing limits.
I did say that, didn't I? I'll be honest that having the Saracenias in an area connected to my pond was my plan - up until I read your original post. As you suggested, it's a common misconception that the 'veggie filter' is passable bog area when it really doesn't have the right conditions.
We have several natural bogs on our property where I think the pitcher plants will be happier, but I was not prepared to bring those areas into my landscaping plans just yet. :) I think I will first be trying an artificial bog closer to the house. With the advice that you've already offered, I think I'll be much better prepared and get it right the first time.
I can't wait to see what knowledge your friend might have to offer! That's what makes DG great!
BogMan is registered now and I think he subscribed. Go for it and start new threads and ask your questions and he'll find you.
Regarding your natural bog, you might want to consider contacting a Wild Ones Chapter in your area or your Department of Natural Resources to determine what plants would have been indigenous to your particular area. The only thing you'd want to do would be to put native plants back. You can have a free for all in your new artificial bog that would be closer to your home but the Army Corps of Engineers/Wetlands Management/Storm Water Management is a tad touchy about any naturally occurring area, such as what you and I have, being altered without their knowledge and consent and the proper permitting. We can remove exotic invasives from wetlands all day long but try to remove/add anything that is unapproved composition and it seems as if their firstborn was stolen. Live and Learn. I work with them and any time I have a question, I call them out and photo document everything with a time and date stamp. I have had too many neighbors get in big trouble over what I deem to be an insignificant infraction.
Hi all! As Equilibrium has been saying I'm now registered (Thanks E!) Check out a photo of me and my pitcher plants in full flower on the welcome mat forum. As Equilibrium mentioned here are the instructions I've used and passed out at the talks I've given on bog gardening. You'll notice that my bogs are artificial reproductions of natural bogs and not just wet gardens (I have those too). Pardon that it's soo long, and the sources may not copy and paste the right way, if not drop me a note and I'll email the info direct.
Fred
Creating an artificial bog garden
Strange as it may sound the first step to building a bog garden, dig a hole! The area can be whatever shape you like about 18 – 24 inches deep and slightly raised from the surrounding bed area to keep runoff from entering the bog (this is explained shortly). Locate the bog garden where it will get full sun at least half the day, preferably afternoon sun.
The worst part is done! Now line the hole with rubber pond liner. Don’t worry if there are sharp roots etc. that could puncture the liner. A few leaks do not matter.
Begin filling the bog with the following combination: add 1 bale (4cuft) of sphagnum peat, mix in 100lbs of silica sand and a big mess of conifer needles (white pine is my favorite). Add rain, distilled, or dehumidifier water till saturated. This is the second hardest job because peat is extremely hydrophobic. I dumped everything in then climbed in like Moses in the mud pits making bricks (the silica rubbed all the hair off my legs, small price to pay!)
Repeat above until the bog is full and fully saturated. Sculpt the “dirt” such that it is low in the center and higher around the edges. Because it is saturated and all the air is worked out, it will not settle.
If you wish to plant a Fen type garden (ph neutral and slightly more nutrient rich) add 50 – 100 lbs of calcium rich lime in place of the conifer needles. Most species of Cypripedium will prefer this to the bog garden. I made the mistake of using crushed oyster shell, it added too much salt…so don’t use this for calcium!
Time to plant! Place plants that like more water near the center of the bog where it is low and plants that like less water around the edges. This works well because the edges dry out far faster than the center. Be patient! A bog garden takes at least 2 years to become well established as a mini ecosystem. Don’t pull any weeds that you are not sure are weeds! Some really good stuff can come to your garden from peat bales. But keep seed heads of sedges and other more aggressive plants trimmed so more tender plants will have a better chance of survival.
The cardinal rule! NEVER EVER EVER WATER WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN RAIN, DISTILLED, OR DEHUMIDIFIER WATER! TAP WATER WILL KILL A BOG GARDEN IN A SEASON AS WILL ANY SORT OF FERTILIZER!
Plants suitable for bog gardens and sources
There are a number of plants that are suitable for bog gardens, many are readily available others far too scarce. Listed here are some of the plants I have had success with and enjoy in my garden. Remember when looking for plants, be sure to buy from sources that propagate their stock or (in the case of orchids) are from documented salvage operations. These are plants that were removed from habitats just before the bulldozers come in to build the next strip mall. This list is NOT exhaustive and you may have luck with plants I have failed with or think I’m crazy for planting “that”.
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS
Sundews, Drosera filiformis, D. rotudifolia, and D. intermedia
Sarracenia Species especially purpurea and those that produce best pitchers in spring.
Venus Fly Trap Dionea muscipula. I’ve found it reasonably hardy here (my plants have survived -5F)
UNCOMON PLANTS
Bog rosemary Andromeda and Heather/Heath Caluna species.
Sedges and rushes especially corkscrew rush and cotton grass (sedge).Be careful some of these can get out of hand!
Gentians, great fall flowers. Patience is required to get them established.
Blue and yellow eyed grasses and smaller members of the Iris (Iridaceae) family.
Call me crazy but no bog garden would be complete without Poison sumac (yes it is in my garden). Most wonderful fall color, but don’t touch!
Orchids
Cypripedium or lady’s Slippers, C. acaule (pink) for the bog garden, C. reginae (showy), and C. candidum (white) for the “Fen” and C. pubescens (Yellow) and it’s relatives for a partly sunny spot in the Perennial bed.
Fall blooming Spiranthes or Lady’s Tresses, Small, fragrant, and a great companion to fringed gentian. These self seed in the bog!
Platanthera species, the fringed orchids, especially P. ciliaris (yellow) and blephariglottis (white). There is also P. psycodes (purple) but it is NOT an easy plant to grow!
Calopogon tuberosa, the grass pink. Showy and easy, Epipactis gigantea, giant hellborine, great if you can find a source, Dactylorhiza spp. (European) a good garden candidate, and Bletilla spp. A great garden subject needing no special care.
Sources
CAT ORCHIDS Cyp. Haven
4553 Hayes Rd. 2291 280th st.
Ravenna OH 44266 Adele IA 50003
330-296-5948 515-993-4841
E-Mail: beth@catorchids.com E-Mail: SlipperGuy@aol.com
Rocky Mountain Orchids Spangle Creek Labs.
P.O. Box 105 21950 County rd. 445
Bigfork, MT 59911 Bovey, MN 55709
E-Mail: info@rmorchids.com E-Mail: scl@uslink.net
Red’s Rhodies Botanique
15920 S. W. Oberst Ln 387 Pitcher plant Ln.
Sherwood OR 97140 Stanardsville VA 22973
E-Mail: red@hardy-orchids.com Web site: www.pitcherplant.com
See the web sites for the above at www.orchidmall.com click on sources!
If you have questions feel free to contact me at: fbess7600@msn.com.
Ohh, that is nice looking. I just made a bog, too bad you were not before! LOL anyway, will be watching your posts so I can maybe make mine survive.
Welcome
Welcome my friend! So glad you are here.