Question
I recently got in the mail a cape sundew and Venus flytrap.
I live in a 3rd story apartment and have 2 balconies(no sunny windows) 1 balcony gets absolutely no sun the entire day, and the other balcony gets a few hours of sun in the A.M.

both have about 3 inch pots and are in bowls. I use distilled water and both bowls have about an inch of water at the bottom
both are in peat moss only(don't have perlite and don't have the money to buy it right now unfortunately)

Originally I was going to try and grow both of them on the balcony, until i found out theres hardly any light there.

This sets me at a predicament. I for the moment have them both indoors, with a 23 watt fluorescent bulb about 8 inches over them that i have on for about 14-16 hours a day. I know the bulb isn't as powerful as it should be, but like i said I have no money.

My last option is, i could set something up for them in the bed of my truck, which is in the sun for as long as the suns out. This sounds like a great option, but It's hot outside.

So...
1. balcony: little light, possible burning from heat outside
2. inside: even less light because of the poor 23 watt bulb
3. Completely outside: Full amount of light, probable burning

I don't know what to do.

Answer
Hi Vincent,

Your balcony that gets morning sun is the best option for the Venus flytrap.  Venus Flytraps are full sun plants, and originating in North and South Carolina, they have temperatures nearly as or equal to yours in Kentucky.  It's common for plants to experience some leaf burn if they've been in shadier conditions (you didn't tell me where the plants came from).  Just cut those off and the newer leaves will be healthy and normal looking.  Our Venus flytraps here in the nursery get roughly 10 hours of direct sun.  You'll need to winterize the plant come late November.  We have details on how you can do that along with tons of information to help new growers avoid the pitfalls so common to new carnivorous plant growers in our volume #1 DVD.  http://www.cobraplant.com/dvd

The Cape Sundew will be fine under your 23 watt CFL.  Keep it about 4 inches away, and if you can put it on a timer for about a 14 hour day that is ideal.  Otherwise turn in on in the morning, off when you go to bed.  Don't leave it on all the time.  If you can locate the plant near a window along with the light, even better.

With both plants make sure they always have a bowl of water to sit in.  The water should either be rainwater, distilled water, or water purified by reverse osmosis.  If you use any kind of filter pitcher type filter, ZeroWater is the only one that removes minerals and is appropriate for carnivorous plants.

Good Growing!

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