Question
Hi.  How are you?  You probably don't remember me, so please refer to one of
my posts.  Here's a link to my most recent post:

http://www.allexperts.com/user.cgi?m=6&catID=711&qID=4758825

As mentioned in the previous post, I have some cape sundews, 2 venus fly
traps, a purple pitcher (I believe it's north american), an a doodlebug under a
4' light fixture with 2 - 40 watt florescent tubes.  The lights are Philips 40
watt cool white plus with 3200 lumens.  I believe you had said that this is the
light you use at your nursery.  If so, then it must be a very good light.
    I know the pitcher plants and venuses should've been outside for the
winter, but as mentioned in previous posts, they are in my house now, b/c I
couldn't find a place for them where they wouldn't freeze.  When I put them
outside, I will keep them out there for now on.  
    I have a few questions to ask you.  Most of my questions have to do with
light.  My first question is.. how many hours should I have my florescent light
on in the spring? In the winter I had in on for 12 hours.  I have increased it
now to 14 hours.  Is 14 hours good, or should I have it on for 16 hours?  
    I want to put my pitcher plants and venuses outside soon.  I think it may
be too cold to put them outside right now.  I live in NJ. The day temps are in
50s, sometimes 60s, but the night temps range from 30-40 degrees.  A few
days ago, the night temp went below freezing.  Should I wait to put them
outside?  
    If you believe it's still too cold by me to put them outside, I alteast want to
have them get some natural sun.  My kitchen receives good south sun now.  
My next question to you is how do I acclimate my pitcher plants and venuses
to south sun in my kitchen?  
    The reason I dind't put them in my kitchen to begin with is b/c the sun
wasn't too bright in the winter and someone I live with puts a portable heater
on.  I didn't want them in there with the heater, b/c the heater would be close
to them (a few feet away).    
     My next question is...would is be ok to put them in my kitchen to receive
natural light monday-friday, but then put them back under my florescent
light on the weekends?  I wanted to do this, b/c the heater is put on- on the
weekends and therefore I didn't want them in the kitchen b/c of that.  
       If I moved them between my kitchen light and fllorescent light, the sun
sets in my kitchen at 7 pm, but I shut my florescent light off at 9 pm, so they
will be getting an additional 2 hours of florescent light a day. Is this ok or
confusing to them?
         Another question I have about light....is my florescent light equivalent
to any type of sun?  I know it's not as strong as south sun, but what about
east or west sun?
         My venus flytrap is starting to grow alot now under my florescent light.   
It has not opened up any new traps yet, but one trap that it has made has
teeth on it now.  The other traps are not at that stage yet.  Should I keep it
under my light for now, since it's growing?
         My purple pitcher and doodle bug are growing too, but very slowly.  
They grow alittle once in a while.  Are they growing slow b/c they are only
receiving florescent light?
         A few of the leaves on my purple pitcher plant are starting to dry out.  
The tops of the leaves turned brown and dry during the winter, but now some
of the leaves are drying out more.  On one or two leaves...half of the leaf is
dried out.  Is this normal for this type of year or am I keeping it too dry? I am
keeping the soil atleast damp.  I water the plant every few days.   
          Thank you again.

Answer
Hi Tracy,

1) Fourteen hours of fluorescent lighting is sufficient.

2) Place your plants outdoors after the risk of frost has passed.  For your region, it may be until mid May.  You'll need to check with your local weather data for a more accurate assessment.  When you're ready, must put your plants outdoors.  It's very early in the growing season, so if they experience any issues regarding the transition, they'll have sufficient time to recover before the onset of winter dormancy.

3) The lighting method that you use is best determined by how your plants respond to it.  I can't comment on your proposal mainly because I'm a strong advocate of keeping plants in one locale and letting them adapt to the conditions in that area.  If you're not satisfied with the growth of your plant, then certainly adjust the lighting as you see fit.  Part of growing plants is developing a relationship with your plants and looking for signs that may indicate they want more light or less light, more heat or less heat, and so forth.  If you rely too much on technical aspects, you'll miss important messages your plant is telling you.  If you also keep on moving your plants around, they won't adapt properly.  Just keep them one place that you feel provides the brightest lighting until you can move them outdoors.

4) With your flytraps, definitely keep them under the lights.  They need lots of light for optimal growth.  

5) Pitcher plants grow very slowly, regardless if they're under fluorescent lights or sunlight.  They don't grow like sunflowers or other plants.  You need to develop a great deal of patience if you want to grow pitcher plants.

6) The browning is normal for this time of the year.  Please watch our video podcast, Ask the Carnivorous Plant Guys - Episode 5.  This episode addresses this issue.
http://wwww.cobraplant.com/podcasts

On another note, I'm wondering if you could help me out. I had trouble reading your questions because they were very interspersed in your writing.  If possible, please keep your submissions to a single topic or question.  This makes it easier to read and address the issues.  Otherwise, my eyes glaze over when I read a long passage of writing with multiple questions.

In general, I look for the big picture.  Right now, just be patient until you can get your plants outdoors in full sun.  For now, give your plants as much lighting as possible.  Don't worry if it's natural or fluorescent.  The minutia is just that, minutia.  Minutia issues don't really play out in the big picture.  It's only another 6 weeks until they can go back outside.  After a period of acclimation, you will see better growth.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin