Moving: The New Setup!

Some of the outdoor plants loaded up to move

Late last week, I loaded up all my prized possessions - a.k.a my carnivorous plants - and moved to a new home, where I started a new job. Thankfully, most of the plants took it well. I think, in total, I only lost a handful of Sarracenia seedlings and a Nepenthes izumiae (though I've been told the BE ones have problems surviving anyhow).

NECPS Hybrid

My new place is much bigger, meaning I have tons more room for plants! More importantly, I can actually see most of my plants very well now. So, I figured I'd go ahead and take some photos of the collection and the set-up. Above, you can see an unknown hybrid from last year's NECPS show that I managed to obtain a couple cuttings of in January. It has since rooted and has started producing pitchers for me.

The wire rack

Perhaps the newest "addition" to the collection is the above wire rack. Previously, my indoor trays had to suffer on a non-adjustable whitewashed wooden rack I had specially built for the window of my apartment. It was hideous, and, frankly, many of the plants quickly grew too tall for the space between the tray and the light. This wire rack is a very welcome addition.

55 Gallon Tank

Also, I've repurposed the 55 gallon tank. Previously, I had been growing a mix of plants in it. Now, I only have lowland Nepenthes and Heliamphora. The tank is a bit problematic. Apparently, despite my best efforts, it still has a slow leak. So, I've relegated all the plants to plastic trays and placed plastic under the tank to prevent damage to the floor.

The new 40 gallon tank

I also purchased a new 40 gallon tank at a $1-a-gallon sale. It now holds the new highland Nepenthes I own that require high humidity, along with my terrestrial Utricularia collection and Nepenthes seeds and seedlings (all of which are currently highlanders).

Nepenthes maxima dark x unknown

Turning back to individual plants, one of the prizes of my collection is the above Nepenthes maxima dark x unknown (possibly truncata). As you can see, in high light the pitchers turn a nice red, but in lower light, they stay green. I was originally planning on keeping this plant on my (new) wire rack, but ultimately decided to place it outside for summer.

Nepenthes maxima dark x unknown

Based on my Nepenthes ventrata being outside for a few days with no burning, my guess is this plant will do well outside, too. Of course, it'll have to come inside in September. Cold weather comes early to Zone 4b. Already, our summer nights are regularly falling to near 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Nepenthes talangensis x robcantelyi

Turning back to the indoor collection for a moment, the newest pitcher on my recently acquired Nepenthes talangensis x robcantelyi opened recently. It is fantastic! I know that, most of the time, robcantelyi hybrids are a bit disappointing, but this is definitely an exception. I'm really looking forward to this plant maturing.

Nepenthes ventricosa x dubia

The Nepenthes ventricosa x dubia that I got for very cheap a few months ago is also plugging along nicely. I've noticed that most ventricosa hybrids are nearly overwhelmed by ventricosa traits, so I'm curious to see how this one matures.

Drosera dichrosepala ssp. enodes 'Scott River'

Just to change things up a bit, I took a photo of these pygmy Drosera. I've found pygmies to be quite delightful, and I'm looking forward to adding more to the collection this fall.

Part of the outside collection

Outside, I have, well, a whole yard! Right now, everything is living in containers on the steps, but I am actively exploring the possibility of an in-ground bog. Of course, what that really means is that I'd have to test most of my plants for cold hardiness. Winter is long in Zone 4b. My guess is that most of them wouldn't survive too well, so I think it'll probably be lights and refrigerator time for winter.

Some Sarracenia

Most of my Sarracenia are a wonderful assortment of unknown hybrids. I have a few species, but the grand majority are unknowns. Of course, I obtained the grand majority as very young seedlings or grew them myself, so not many are mature yet. I'm looking forward to a spring when I have a yard full of Sarracenia flowers.

Drosera intermedia (behind)
Drosera capillaris (in front)

I had to take this photo because it illustrates, slightly, the differences between D. intermedia and D. capillaris. Many growers haven't had the luxury of seeing either/both in the wild and find the comparison difficult, but, I hope, this photo will illustrate some of the differences between mature plants of both species.

Drosera rotundifolia and Drosera filiformis

Here's my (semi) native collection. Drosera rotundifolia is most definitely native to my area, but the closest Drosera filiformis is either on Cape Cod or in Nova Scotia, depending on what direction you'd like to travel in. Personally, I'm just happy to have it growing alongside my other 'dews.

Venus Flytrap 'Coquillage'

Lastly, I'll finish up with a photo of a Venus Flytrap cultivar, 'Coquillage'. Strangely, I've been having really good luck with VFT cultivars, even though I'm in New Hampshire. And, I've really started to appreciate them.