Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 7/8/2009

Question
    Hello, I have a few questions regarding some plants I have been growing, and hope you can answer them without pictures. My camera is broken.
I live in Jacksonville, Florida which is in between zones 8 and 9. Temperatures are currently in the upper 90's and all my plants are doing fine in the heat. In my yard, the sunniest location is the deck and it is where I grow all my carnivorous plants. In the summer, my plants will get between 5 1/2 and 6 hours of direct sun a day.
    Now my questions are these...
- I have a Florida Giant sundew and the red coloration in the tentacles and dew after over a month in the sun is virtually non-existent. Is this normal?

-Is a 5 1/2 hour photo period fine for my plants?

-Can pea gravel be used as a top dressing in hot humid areas such as Florida, Or will it cause root burn?

-Will Sarracenia rubra rubra get enough dormancy here?

And finally...my sole indoor tropical.

-I have a D. capensis in my Eastern windowsill with two CFL fixtures to supplement the light from the window. I want to expand my number of D. capensis and CFL's would be too much of a hassle in that situation. However, the windowsill is too small for a 4ft shop light, and the most I could use would be a 3ft (2ft is preferable) fixture. how can I supply them with enough light?

Thank you for taking the time to answer, I am a first time grower and have spent many hours researching, and worrying.
I do have motivation though! I have spent over a hundred dollars on the hobby so far and the bill is getting bigger.

Answer
Hi Connor,

Florida Giant dewthreads are fairly green.  Then seldom get at red as typical filiformis filiformis.

That should be fine.  Your plants will be your best guide.  If colors are not vibrant, then you need more sun.

In a hotter climate be cautious with gravel top-dressing.  It can burn stems of plants in hot sun.  Try coconut chips or sphagnum moss.

Yes.  Your area of Florida isn't truly tropical.  The decrease in daylight hours and temperature decrease will induce dormancy.  The only truly tropical areas of the U.S. would be Hawaii, Florida Keys, and Puerto Rico.

You can find two-tube 24" fixtures.  They're a bit more expensive, but they work.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com