Hello from Northeast Florida!

[taargus]

Hello everyone,

I recently moved to Florida from NY. I brought all my plants, that was an interesting and fun experience Mostly intermediate and lowland Nepenthes, a few Sarracenia, VFTs, Drosera, and a Pinguicula. I had previously been growing some highland Nepenthes in a windowsill, and the intermediates and lowlanders in a terrarium. It's nice to be able to move them outside. I haven't decided what to do about the highlanders down here. Probably should've traded them, but I'm considering an indoor set-up instead because after growing them for so many years I'd be disappointed to have to get rid of them. Other than that I also grow orchids and some succulents and cacti. I'm interested to see what others living in FL are growing and where.

Aside from growing plants, I work as an RN in a hospital telemetry unit. I was hoping to plan some hikes to the local spots to see some CP's in situ on my days off before it gets too hot, so if anyone has any recommendations please let me know. Also, does the FCPS plan any events to do things like that or have meetings anywhere?

[Brian Barnes]

Hello!

Wow...sounds like quite a move. I'm sure you'll like the Fl. winters alot better.... ;D Indeed, highlanders will be a challenge for you here but can be done indoors with lights. BUT...it can get expensive. Been there, done that! Intermediate species will survive outdoors in summer (barely if kept drier) and pitcher during winter only, in my experience.

Heliamphora do well inside under lights in the 65-78F range. I'm working on restructuring the FCPS. My Vice-President and best friend passed away a year ago, not to mention the cyber-attack on the main website. It's been tough, combined with an overall lack of interest from local growers. I hosted two "Spring Meets" at my home two years in a row, both were no shows. We are glad to have you aboard though!

Check my video and photo pages via the link in my signature (if you haven't already)

Brian

[taargus]

Hi Brian!
I'm so sorry to hear all that. Sounds like last year was a bad year for you and I hope this year is better.

Thanks for the advice and it's good to know Heliamphora and keeping my highlanders might be an option if I'm willing to set something up indoors. I had (and moved) a 150 gallon tall sized fish tank that I had converted into a lowland terrarium from NY. I had plans to re-purpose it for highlanders here. Then, we moved to a top floor apartment and it was unreasonable to try to get it up three flights of stairs. It's in storage now, so I was looking at some of the nicer grow tents that are normally used for indoor hydroponics.

I'm glad to hear there might be an FCPS resurrection. It's crazy to me to think that there isn't more interest in Florida than there was in NY. It looks like there is some new interest lately from either new growers, or those that have relocated like myself recently though (from being around other places on the internet.) Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. I usually have more than half the week off as three 12hr. shifts is working full time in nursing, lol. I'd be happy to help get things going.

[Brian Barnes]

Hi Melody,

Thanks for the offer. I just might take you up on that...

Let me know of any cultivative questions you may have. I've been growing CP here in Fl. for about 20 years or so.

Happy Growing!

Brian