Question
QUESTION: I'm planning to eventually get a Rajah.  I am using a 5 gallon terrarium with two 23 watt compact floursecent lights (both are 100w equivalent).  THe only issue is getting the temperatures low enough at night.  Is it possible to move the terrarium to a cool place that gets around 65F at night?  Also, when will you have more Npenthes Rajah for sale?

ANSWER: Hi Taylor,

Depending on where you live, you can just allow your plant to experience cool nights naturally.  Our nursery is located in Oregon where the nights are cool, even during the summer months.  Since we're in the fall season, cool nights might be a bit easier, unless you happen to live along the Gulf Coast or southern Florida.

In general, we recommend growing plants that are best suited for your region.  So if your nights are warm, particularly during the summer months, then you would be better off growing intermediate or lowland Nepenthes.  You'll also have a much better experience and fewer headaches.  While you might be willing to move your terrarium to a cool window for the night now, you might feel differently after a few weeks.  (Always think about the long-term care.  Would you be willing to do this for the next several years?  Nepenthes rajah grows very slowly in cultivation.)

This is why we don't grow much lowland Nepenthes.  Our temperatures are too cool for these plants, and we're unwilling to heat our greenhouses to the necessary temperatures.  However, highland and ultra highland Nepenthes love our cooler climate, so we grow mostly these varieties.  We're currently sold out, but we intend to get more starts for 2009.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok.  Also, I've recently ordered a clamshell flytrap (excited for this one) and a red leaf dewthread from you.  Are they both already acclimated to outdoor growing (especially the dewthread)?  Also, when I go to long vacations (up to 2 weeks) how do I water my plants?

ANSWER: Thank you for your recent purchase!  We grow the clamshell flytrap outdoors, so it's already acclimated to outdoor growing.  Since we've had a few days of overnight frost, they're exhibiting signs of dormancy.

We treat the red leaf dewthread like a tropical plant.  This plant doesn't seem to require winter dormancy, though it will go dormant if you allow it.  Otherwise, if the temperatures are consistently warm and the lighting is bright, it will grow throughout the year.  We obtained our mother plants from a grower who kept his plants growing for 3 years without a dormancy.  The red leaf dewthread is the only dewthread that will do this.  The other dewthreads require winter dormancy.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: One more question.  I vacation somewhat frequently and noone can water my plants.  HOw do I keep them moist while I am gone (can't use drip system as it has tap water)?

Answer
Use an African violet pot.  It has a large water reservoir and releases only enough water to keep the soil moist, but never waterlogged.  You can find these pots at your local garden center or specialty nursery.  These pots work well for Nepenthes, Mexican butterworts and Cephalotus.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin