Question
Jeff,

I have several ultra-highland Nepenthes (ie. rajah, villosa, aristolochioides) that I would like to keep in a terrarium. Since these Nepenthes are very slow growing, I intend to keep them in there for a few years. What type of terrarium set-up would you recommend for ultra-highland Nepenthes? If you wanted to put some of these particular CPs in a terrarium, how would you go about it??

Thank you,

-Derick-

Answer
Hi Derick,

The first question you need to ask yourself in this endeavor is, "I am I willing to spend the money needed to set up this up correctly?"  This is one of the reasons we are not big terrarium fans because folks first getting into the hobby, especially kids, are daunted when you start talking tanks, lights, misters, distilled water, thermometers, hygrometers, fungicides, etc...  Now I realize you're more experienced, but it does require more than just a fish tank and a compact fluorescent light to grow the fussy plants you're wanting.  We've had all three of these in our greenhouse, and they have proven challenging.  Even Hawaiian growers have a hard time with these.

First I would see if you can find a large aquarium; whatever you have room for.  I would say around 50 gallon would be good, but since you will probably starting with smaller plants, smaller is fine.  You can often find aquariums used for very little at second hand stores, or even free if you search Craigslist or garage sales.  You'll need some partial cover, so if you can get the glass pieces that are used on top the aquarium that would be great.

For lighting, since these plants don't like high temperatures, I would go with LED lights if you can find a suitable fixture.  Go for a spectrum suited for vegetative growth.  My second choice would be T-5 fluorescents, third, regular T-12 shoplights, but you would need four tubes.  You'll also need a timer.

Here's some other items that will be helpful.  You definitely want a thermometer in the tank.  These highlanders are more sensitive to temperatures than most of the common intermediates we grow as houseplants.  A hygrometer is helpful too to measure humidity, but not as important.  A little fan such as a small computer fan could be helpful for ventilation, but is also not vital.  Also, a little ultra-sonic humidifier can be very helpful for these plants, and you can often find the ones you put in bowls or fountains fairly cheap.  Exo Terra also makes a vivarium fogger.  This isn't vital, however.

Set up the tank with a layer of pea gravel on the bottom, but do the tank as a greenhouse-tank style terrarium.  This is where you leave the plants in the pots.  Each one should have a little water tray of it's own.  You can do a planted terrarium also, but you will not have the same flexibility if you want to move plants, need one closer to the lights, etc.  If you are looking for decorative value, then planting is what you want.  If you are looking for function over aesthetics, do the greenhouse-tank style.  If you plant, do a pea gravel layer, then put your Nepenthes media on top.  Make a slope so you can plant plants at various levels.

For care, water with distilled water, or water from a ZeroWater pitcher.  You don't want any minerals going into the system since it is a closed system.  Keep your lights on a 13 hour day.  These ultra-highlanders will want temperatures in the upper 70's, low 80's during the day, and around 55-60F at night.  That night cool down is the hard part.  Other than having a window air conditioner in that room during the summer, you might see if you can remove and retrofit a thermoelectric cooling unit from a thermoelectric portable cooler.  Here are some examples:  http://www.nextag.com/thermoelectric-cooler/products-html  Winter should be much less of a problem.  You'll just need to monitor your temperatures and fiddle with stuff until you get the conditions you need.  Definitely monitor for fungus and treat if needed.

You might also check with orchid forums since many orchid growers have rare high-elevations orchids they like to grow, so they have similar issues.   There are more of them than cp growers, so they might have some good ideas.

So, this is may basic take on a highland tank, but I don't have as much expertise in this area.  Some web research would definitely be a good idea to see what has worked for others.

Good Growing!

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