QuestionHi I live in Fayetteville, NC and I have several questions to ask. I dont have a window to grow an nepenthes and I was thinking of buying an nepenthes truncata or a N. MiIanda since I might grow one indoors. I have been thinking of growing them in outdoor sun in the morning and then in the shade for the rest of the day, or should I put them inside for the rest of the day. However, can they handle the sudden change of climate when placed inside. Also, can it handle the constant moving from outside to inside or is this a good idea or should I do something else? any suggestions?
jesus
AnswerHi Jesus,
I certainly commend you in wanting to think this through a bit more before acquiring your plant, especially if you don't have a suitable window. You can grow your plant outdoors during the summer months in your region. Simply choose an area where it will get lots of bright morning sun and bright indirect sunlight the rest of the day. Avoid full shade with these species. They certainly like it bright and can tolerate a bit more sun than other Nepenthes.
One thing to avoid is moving your plant back and forth throughout the day. Once your plant is acclimated for one location, leave it there. So if you grow it outside for the summer, leave it there. Avoid bringing it in for the night. Plants prefer to be left in one location, and your summer nights will be just fine for these Nepenthes.
In early fall, when your nighttime temperature begins to drop below 50癋, you'll need to bring your Nepenthes indoors until next summer. In this case, since you don't have a suitable window, you will need to use strong fluorescent lights to keep them happy. Use a shop light fixture with two 40-watt fluorescent tubes, and keep the lights about 8 inches above the plants. Keep the lights on for about 12-14 hours per day. In late spring, you can move your plant back outdoors again.
For more information about growing Nepenthes, read our care sheets online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
