FREE DELIVERY
ON ORDERS OVER R1500
Know the correct lighting requirements for your plant. This will be the difference between growing and THRIVING!
Heliamphora needs Full to Dappled Sun. But you will need to keep the plant’s roots cool. The more light they get, the more intense their colouring will be.
They can be grown in less light, like on a bright windowsill, but the pitchers will tend to be more on the green side and less vibrant.
Again, it is VITAL not to let the plant overheat. If growing outside, and you live in a hot climate, try to avoid leaving them in the peak afternoon sun because as soon as the soil gets too hot, the plant will die! It is advised to grow the plants in white plastic pots, and pots which are much larger than needed, to assist in keeping the soil cool. On really hot days, use refrigerated water to cool the soil.
For more info on the different types of light types, refer to the HOLY COMMANDMENTS Page
When you bring your new babies home, help them to acclimatize by following this simple step.
In my experience, this plant doesn’t show any distress in new environments.
However, if you live in a hot sunny area, I would leave them in an area that gets bright light for a week before moving them to their new spot.
I always spray new plants with Novion, to give them that extra boost. Spraying into the pitchers will also improve nutrient absorption. (A free sample vial is sent with every order to assist with acclimatization and ease Abiotic stress.)
ALWAYS USE PURE WATER such as Rain, Distilled or R.O Water.
Heliamphora does not like being waterlogged. They do best with overhead watering. Twice a day on hot days. If you live in a really hot climate, water with refrigerated water. Continue watering until excess water pours out the bottom of the pot, saturating the soil.
Ensure that the pitchers are receiving lots of water when watering. They have a very unique pitcher, with a tiny slit on the side, which assists in maintaining water levels inside the pitchers. You can water via the tray method if you are unable to water for a few days, but overhead watering is far more beneficial to the plant, as this keeps the soil less water-logged and more aerated.
For more information on Watering refer to our HOLY COMMANDMENTS Page.
A nutrient-deficient soil is a must for all carnivorous plants.NEVER use soil with fertilizers.
Heliamphora prefers a more airy, loose soil. Use a mix of long-fibered sphagnum moss mixed with some pumice or akadama rock. The stones will assist the plant to be more stable as the roots are not very strong, as well as making the mixture more airy and therefore cooler.
Our Nepenthes soil blend is perfect for Heliamphora. (1 part carnivorous soil mix, 2 parts akadama and 1 part sphagnum moss)
Carnivorous soil mixes for Nepenthes can be purchased from the Accessories page.
Heliamphora has a small and EXTREMELY brittle root system. Be very careful when repotting. remove the entire plant, without disturbing the root ball, and place it in a slightly bigger pot, then fill around the root ball. This places minimal stress on the plant and saves any damage to the roots.
For more info on Soil & Potting refer to the HOLY COMMANDMENTS Page and my BLOG ON REPOTTING.
Carnivorous Plants are formidable hunters and do not need to be fed, but if you REALLY cannot resist...
When grown outdoors they will catch all the food they need. (Sunlight is more important than food as they get most of their energy from Photosynthesis.)
They will also benefit from a mild foliar fertilizer spray like Novion, which can be sprayed directly onto the leaves and into the Pitchers. If you get too much liquid on the soil, flush with pure water from overhead a day after application
Novion can be purchased from the Accessories page.
Feed dried meal, blood worms or fresh dead bugs directly into the pitchers. Avoid feeding dry fish pellets as the pitchers do not have much water, so breaking these pellets down can be difficult.
Just like any other plant, Carnies are sometimes prone to Pests and Diseases. However there are very effective ways to help them.
Heliamhora, for the most part, is relatively hassle-free from pests. However, they may still be subjected to Scale.
If the infestation is mild, you can remove the scale by hand.
Using your nail or an earbud dipped in rubbing alcohol, you can scrape the scale off the pitcher. You will need to check the plant daily for at least 3 weeks, as this is the life cycle of the eggs hatching.
If the infestation is heavy, scrape off as much of the scale as possible, and spray with a mild systemic insecticide like Rosecare 3.
This needs to be sprayed on the plant every week for 3 weeks and should solve the problem. Avoid spraying in the pitchers if possible.
Some like Warm Sunny Days, others prefer cool night time temps.
Heliamphora does best with warm summers and cool winters.
Plants can tolerate temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius. If your days exceed these temperatures, keep the roots cool by watering with chilled water. Heat over 40 degrees will kill your plant, so it is advised to bring indoors during these heat waves. These plants need a good drop in night time temperatures of at least 10 degrees, especially if day temps are high.
They are tolerant of light frosts and temperatures down to 5 degrees Celsius, but although they prefer cooler temperatures, they are not cold hardy, so if these cold spells go on for more than a day, it is advised to bring the plant indoors. Temps below freezing may kill your plant.
While some plants grow all year round, for others that Winter Snooze is an absolute necessity.
Heliamphora does not require a winter dormancy period, so growth will slow in colder temperatures. During Winter, they do not need feeding, so cut back your treats to an absolute minimum. If spraying foliar fertilizer, cut this back to once a month.
They will bounce back with great vigour when the weather warms up again and will appreciate the winter rest, so let nature do its thing unless you are keeping your plant in a terrarium, in which case continue with your normal care routine.
Continue your watering regime as above throughout winter.
Nursery visits are by arrangement only
I’d love to connect with you
Follow me on social media
Copyright © 2024 Curry's Post Carnivores & Leon Nieuwoudt - All Rights Are Reserved