Question
Hi,

My friend wants to keep some carnivores plants at his work, after seeing my collection. He wants to know if he could use a desk lamp for lighting. The desk lamp is a high-output 18 W fluorescent desk lamp, that produces the equivalent of a 75 W incandescent lamp. He plans on keeping some type of beginner nepenthes (sanguinea or ventrata) and possible a drosera adelea or capnesis. Will this lighting work? Here is a link to the actual lamp:

http://www.plexsupply.com/product-p/ele7255bk.htm


Answer
Hi Joe,

That light isn't strong enough.  Eighteen is too dim for most carnivorous plants.  Ideally you'll need 40-watts (compact fluorescent bulb) kept about 6-8 inches above the plants.  Read our recommendations for artificial lights on our care sheets:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin