Hi Sheila. I gave them a try a few years ago when we moved to Florida. I had tried them in NY and they only lived about a year. In Florida they didn't make it at all. I bought them at an orchid show from a Vendor who came highly recommended. I tried all sorts of things to keep them going but they died within 6 months.

I felt the heat and humidity did them in because they lived longer in NY.

Try to buy them at a plant show. Much less expensive. I found the vendor at an orchid show but I've seen them at other shows for tropical plants.

Jane

I have been growing Tropical pitcher plan for several years in NJ. The trick seems to be distilled water and or rain water, I keep them in moss and always have water standing in the tray bottom.

They do not like direct sunlight. In the summer I put them outside but in a fairly shady area. They get some early morning sun.

I have found that I can even make a cutting and stick it in moss and it will grow. Needs to always be wet.

Thanks so much everyone. I will watch for Alata or ventricosa or hybrid.

I grow them and they are EASY. Bright indirect Sun, keep moist with rainwater or distilled water or reverse osmosis water and NEVER allow to dry out. Ventrata, Ventracosa are FAST growers! Easy to start new plants from cuttings.

I have two hybrids I bought last spring. I will have to check the names. But they are intermediate growing highland types. Unfortunately I let one dry out too many times, and it is struggling now. But the other one is still growing strong.

I grew them outside under a shade tree for the summer, but they received moring sun. I only used rain or RO water. Then brought them in with my Phals for fall. Now they are under lights.

I like growing those and other carnivorous plants with the orchids. Although not as showy, my butterwort is my favorite.

A June bought N.alata took a few months to adapt to our climate in summer. When it did start to grow,it grew fairly fast. And-,it pitcher-ed in our famous non humid climate. I've kept it on the porch all winter only bring in when lows dropped near freezing.

Right now- its stressed at lows in the 40's highs in the 50's and we will see if it can hold on to February when our coldest weather is past.

So,not ultra tropical..but for sure tender.

I just pick up a hybrid from Logees about a month ago. I potted it in a mix of peat moss, perlite , and mix in some soil moist gel beads to keep it damp.

Thanks everyone. Tomorrow I'll search web and hopefully find a plant. I'll have to look up butterwort too..

I got into neps before orchids. I have several different species and hybrids. They are much easier to care for than orchids, though they need very specific conditions depending on species. Several grow well indoors.

My main concern is finding a species/hybrid for my temperatures....other requirements I can work with.. Being in SW tx even in my small GH my summer temps can go up to 95 when outdoor temps are 105 f.. So I definItely need a warm grower!

Hmm... you'd need very high humidity at those temps - 80 - 100 percent. Some of my lowlanders would love 95 - that's when I get my best growth. Indoors is always an option too. If you send me a complete description of your conditions I might be able to make some suggestions. Seasonal temperature range between the day and night, humidity, light levels.

Temperatures now are unpredictable. We were in the 80s with lows in the upper 40s-low 50s. Temps dropped to 17- 35 about 3 woks ago. Summer will be almost as erratic most temps staying steadily at 70-75 lows to 95-105 highs. I do have a small GH where I strive to keep lows of 50 and highs of 90-95. RH is 60-80 with exceptions during winter season when it can drop to 25-350 %

25-35%. Bad typo!

Mine brought in twice to keep 32f or close off it...hasn't had an easy go because other then that ,its been outdoors here in the bay area all winter. Last I looked close..it was a bit yellowish...but other then that it looked like it did in summer. I'm not declaring victory yet. But is it alive on Feb 2nd after one of the rainiest and coolest winters in years? Yes.

Let me add- it was fine with high 30's F. Its when we dipped to 35 at night,it looked bad enough to convince me to bring it indoors.

sounds like your greenhouse has potential, but you'll need to raise the humidity. Ave day night temp drop will determine if you can grow highlander hybrids, or lowlanders. Do a lot of research.