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Carnivorous Plants/Cephalotus Lightin

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Expert: - 4/2/2008


Question
I just bought a Cephalotus from you guys.  As of this moment, I haven't gotten it yet, but it's already "my newest baby" (grin).

I have other plants growing under 300 watts total of daylight, full spectrum, incandescent light.  The plants are all a minimum of 8 inches away from the lights. The other plants have no problem with the lights, and neither does my Drosera Falconeri, another plant considered difficult to grow.

My question is:  Is this enough light?  The right type?

Answer
Hello Talisha,

I think you intended to send this question to Sarracenia Northwest. I do not sell plants. In any event, florescent lighting is usually best for plants as incandescent lights burn too hot even if they do give off the proper spectrum of light for plants. Look for the lumens of light output to determine how much light intensity your plants are getting. In general, 9000-12000 lumens is sufficient, much better if you have upwards of 20000-36000 lumens for light intensive plants, to grow many tropical plants indoors with no additional sun, but a bright south window with additional light from florescents is always helpful. Cephalous like a lot of light, but are not quite as light intensive as a Venus Flytrap.

Christopher

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Christopher Littrell

Expertise

I am capable of answering questions about the most common carnivorous plants found in cultivation. I have no personal experience with Byblis, Drosophyllum, Aldrovanda, and Heliamphora. I have not cultivated gemmae forming pygmy sundews nor tuberous sundews. For information regarding those aforementioned species, I would suggest contacting other experts. I can answer questions regarding most species of Nepenthes, tropical and temperate Drosera, Mexican Pinguicula, Sarracenias, and Dionaea. I have some limited experience with growing Utricularia, Cephalotus, and Darlingtonia.

Experience

I have grown carnivorous plants off and on for about 27 years. I have made the same mistakes and suffered the same mishaps that many growers make as they attempt to separate the myths from the realities of growing these plants. Currently, I am successfully growing a variety of tropical sundews, a Nepenthes, several Venus Flytraps of varying ages, and Sarracenias. I have been successful in stratifying Sarracenia seeds and providing artificial dormancy requirements for my temperate plants when needed.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. Over my lifetime, I have constantly read books involving the growing conditions of carnivorous plants. I hope to incorporate the educational aspects involved in psychology with teaching other people how to cultivate carnivorous plants.

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