Question
If a 42 watt CFL  has been established as a prime choice for growing neps
under, is it possible that I could increase the intensity of the light with about
150 watts and reduce the photoperiod from 16 to say something like 10-12?
I cant keep track of when to turn them on/off.

I am growing an N. Ventricosa, N. x Miranda, and N. Sanguinea. in my closet
with 1 105w 5000k and 2 23w 2700k. I've read that the spectrum almost
makes no difference considering HPS light burns exclusively at the low end of
the spectrum yet promotes growth just fine.

Answer
Hello Chris,

Spectrum is important, just not as important as intensity. Plants tend to grow best under approximately 6400 k spectrum lights, however; if the intensity is too low, they will still suffer from light deprivation. What you need to concentrate on is lumen intensity at one foot distance from the tubes or bulbs you are using. Lumens are listed on the packaging and sometimes on the tube itself. So long as the Nepenthes are getting at least 12000 lumens they should be fine, but more would be preferable. I find that the 40 watt 3000 lumen florescent cool white or true daylight tubes in regular 4 foot long shop lights to be the best overall for most of my carnivorous plant growing needs, Nepenthes included. The closer the plant is to the tube, the more lumens it will get. The lumen intensity listed for each tube would be at one foot, so it is more intense as you get closer to the tube. You can place a Nepenthes up to 6-8 inches from the tube and it will get a few hundred more lumens from each tube involved. The farther the plant is from the tubes beyond one foot, the faster the lumen intensity drops off until it is almost negligible for growing plants.

You could increase the intensity of the lights you provide your plants if you want, however; an easier and far more economical choice would be a 5 dollar timer. I just raid the stores during Christmas and find cheap Christmas tree light timers and buy those up for my carnivorous plant light timing. They work great and you have no worries whatsoever about turning lights on or off manually ever again. You could go to a pet store and check for light timers there, but they will probably be a bit more expensive and have all the bells and whistles you really will not need.

Christopher