Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 7/16/2010

Question
Hi, I recently received a Heliamphora Heterodoxa x Nutans as a gift from a friend.  I'm currently growing highland and intermediate nepenthes along with a cephalotus, 8 inches under 4-40W fluorescent 6500K tubes (4ft).  It's established in a mix live sphagnum and long fibered sphagnum moss.  Daytime temperatures are highs of 80 unfortunately from the heat output of the lights and lows of 70.  The humidity never goes below 45% and is supplemented by a ultrasonic humidifier that brings it up to +80%. I use distilled or RO water for all my plants.

I have your DVD on tropical pitcher plants and you really stress the importance of a stable environment for Heli's.  I am capable of buying a terrarium and outfitting that but are my current conditions acceptable?

I'm worried that the sudden increase in humidity/decrease in temp when the humidifier turns on coupled with the drop in humidity and increase in temp when it turns off during the day is too unstable for the Heli.

Thanks in advance,
Andy

Answer
Hi Andy,

That environment, even though it's not in a terrarium sounds very stable.  A growing area such as you described creates a nice little microclimate and should be fine.  I've often in the past had many plants under fluorescent lights on shelves and had them look great even though they had no enclosure.  The reason is the water trays along with the other plants creates a slightly higher humidity, and the lighting is very consistent.  Yet you don't have the problems associated with terrariums from the excessive humidity and lack of air circulation.  I would say give it a go.

Good Growing!

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