Question
Hello!

Ok...so now I have amassed a LOT (for me!) of CPs. I have been raising all of them on my balcony (NYC zone 6) and giving them all distilled water, using tray method for all but my Neps.

I have -
VFTs
Cape Sundews
D Binatas
Sarrecenias a Purpureas
about 10 highland Neps and a few lowlands.

The balcony actually seemed to be a pretty good spot for all of them. It got lots of ambient and about 4 hours direct per day.
I had all the VFTs, SDs and Sarracenias my alata deroose and a rafflesaina getting the 4 hours direct light (the N Alata D did great!) and I have the other neps in the shade behind my grill.

So now...its starting to get colder. Evenings are expected to dip to the mid 40s shortly.

I know how I am going to handle dormancy for all but the Neps and cape sundews.

Cape sundews don't go dormant and will survice winter in a sunndy windowsill...correct?

As for the neps...

How much light/warmth are they really going to "need" for the winter?

I am hoping to keep them in a sill as well (lots of indirect and about an hour of direct) per day...but am not sure if that will be enough? Will i be forced to get a terrarium for them?

I would prefer to not spend the extra money on the terrarium if that is possible but I don't want them to die either.

Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

Mark Kaliss

Answer
Hi Mark,

Tropical plants don't go dormant and will need bright sun and warm temperatures throughout the year.  A sunny windowsill and normal home temperatures are all you need.  If you're comfortable, your plants are comfortable.  Ideally, tropical plants will need about 4 hours of direct sunlight and bright indirect light during the rest of the day.  If that's not possible, then you'll need to find an appropriate window or consider artificial lights.  Keep in mind that winter in the US isn't exactly an ideal climate for tropical plants, so you'll need to accept some minor imperfections in your plant because of the cooler temperatures and lower light levels.  

Our upcoming DVD on tropical sundews will cover this issue in depth.  You can find general information about artificial lights in the care sheet section on our main website.  Each care sheet covers the issue of lighting.

http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

I also recommend watching our monthly video podcasts:
http://www.YouTube.com/user/SarraceniaNorthwest

Good growing!
Jacob Farin