Question
QUESTION: I just recieved a lowland bicalcarata and I was wondering if you had any species specific tips for growing it outdoors.  If I kept the house warm as the plant requires my wife would leave me.  The sale page said it liked it hot, is upper 90's too hot?  Would full light all day be too much?  What type of terrain does it naturally grow in?

Also I have a rescued darlington deathcubensis.  The new leaves tend to die back, often with red patches first.  Is this strictly from the heat or from some sort of disease? I am sure it too hot, so I brought it in until it cools down, but the spot seem similar to a anthracnose.  
Thank you very much.

ANSWER: Hi Dennis,

Nepenthes bicalcurata likes it hot and humid.  Full sun will be too intense since this plant is a true jungle plant.  Try to provide some shade if you are going to try and have it outside.  I'm assuming you live in a humid part of the country.  If you don't you will need to consider putting it in a large terrarium.

With your Darlingtonia it may already be a lost cause depending upon how bad off the plant is.  The red patches are from heat, and lack of oxygenation in the soil.  I recommend transplanting it to a low wide pot no less than six inches across.  The soil media should be equal parts peat moss, orchid bark, and perlite or pumice.  Find a spot outside with partial sun, but afternoon shade.  You'll need to top water the pot daily a couple of times with cool water.  The pot shouldn't sit in water, however.   Good soil aeration is vital.  If your plant survives the next month a drip system can make the watering much easier.  Darlingtonia is definitely a plant for the experienced grower since much more effort is needed to grow them compared to Sarracenia, especially if you have hot summers.  For more information on growing Darlingtonia visit our caresheet page at:  http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets.  


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your help.  I live in southern middle TN, I checked the average humidity, for July it is 62.8%, yearly avg is 65.3%  would this be sufficient?  It doesn't seem that high on most days though.  Would devising some sort of small, well-ventilated greenhouse with a tray of water and rocks to keep the pot out of standing water work for the N. bicalcarata.  Thanks again.   

I took the Darlington out of the tray w/ the vft's, and sarracenias and repotted as per your directions.  It doesn't seem too bad yet.  It still has little baby cobras popping up, but as they get bigger they start to die back, and growth is very slow,  that sounds like it would be low O2 to the roots, like you suggested.

Thanks, Dennis  

Answer
Hi Dennis,

Your humidity is probably going to be fine.  You're much more humid than we are here in western Oregon.  I once put a Nepenthes mirablis outside for a summer when I was working in Hendersonville, NC.  It did fine, and it is a lowlander also.   Just provide some shade for your bicalc., and it should be fine for the summer.  When nighttime temperatures start dropping into the 50's this coming fall, it will be time to move the plant into the house.

You'll just need to give your Darlingtonia time now.  Even when we transplant them we have losses.  If it is still alive by this fall, you'll be past the difficult period and should be able to keep it going.  We found that cat litter plans with holes punched in the bottom work very well for Darlingtonia being able to stay in them for a few years.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com