Carnivorous Plants/Terrarium temp

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/9/2007


Question
I'm thinking about growing some of the more difficult neoenthes that require a terrarium,  but was wondering, how does one achieve the temp. drop? Or would a greenhouse be neccessary?

Answer
Hello Corey,

There are terrarium temperature control devices for sale. You can type in the search term "terrarium temperature control" online and several sites and options will be found. A low tech solution that would take more care and conscientiousness would be to use frozen water bottles in the terrarium in a sufficient number to take the temperature down to the proper levels at night.

The best bet would be to find a good temperature control device that provides the right range of temperatures and the easiest timed control of temperature drops as possible.

Have fun growing your Nepenthes.

Christopher

Carnivorous Plants

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.