Sun Pitchers Carnivorous Plant (Heliamphora)
The Heliamphora is still one of the rarest Genera of the Carnivorous
Plant species, and one of which little is known. The Genus has six
species to date, and all are native to Venezuela and grow on top of high
mountain plateaux.
One of the things that makes this plant of such great interest to
Carnivorous Plant growers is that it is believed by some to be the
primitive link between pitcher plants and "normal" leaves. Since the
area in which it was found has been frozen in time due to its isolation
from other land masses and the usual process of evolution.
Care
Due to the low numbers in cultivation the exact requirements of this
rare Genus are still uncertain. One method that was found effective is
to pot on top of a layer of sphagnum moss, inside terrarium. The
terrarium can be placed in a heated propagating tray. Above the
terrarium, at a height of about 25 centimeters a grow light should
operate on a twelve hour cycle per day.
Every few days, water is passed through the plant. If the edges of
the pitchers begin to turn brown, or the leaves begin to wrinkle
slightly, the plant is probably too dry. While this plant does like
being well watered it also prefers good drainage, and as a consequence
you may find the plant grows better when the sphagnum is mixed with
perlite.
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