Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 7/7/2010

Question
Hi Jacob and Jeff


As you may know, the northeast is experiencing a rather intense heat wave. Yesterday the thermometer read 103 and nighttime temps barely dipped into the 70s, and we are not expecting a break till Sunday the earliest. Which brings me to my question(s) I have two plants that I am concerned the high temperatures will adversely affect: N.Hamata and Heliamphora heterodoxa x ionasii. Both these plants are immature and are in terrariums, lighting is provided by four 100 watt CFC bulbs. Both are in live sphagnum.

Last night I had the idea of taking both these plants into the bedroom where I have air conditioning, which I did. My concern is that the sudden temperature change and obvious lack of humidity might be even worse. I am particularly concerned about the Heliamphora, as I watched your video and you were very clear about them liking consistent climate conditions, yet the lack of cooling at night also concerned me.

One other option might be to put either one or both plants outside at night, where the air temps are cooler than in the house though not as cool as in the air conditioned bedroom , but still have the high humidity we are experiencing.

Or am I just worrying about nothing.

Thanks for all the great advice

Nicole
90 miles north of NYC

Answer
Hi Nicole,

In this situation I would vote for keeping them where they are, and just giving them a little extra TLC.  Flood them with cool water in the evening, and have a small fan blowing a cool breeze their way.  The live sphagnum has excellent natural cooling properties.  We get hot spells like this every summer, and these plants tend to come through just fine.  The greenhouse does get up into the 100's, but we just make sure the ultra-highland Nepenthes and the Heliamphora get plenty of fresh water.  Moving them around often just causes more problems if the plants are doing fine where they are.

Good Growing!

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