Cultivation
Heliamphora



The perennial species of the genus Heliamphora (sun pitcher) grow almost exclusively on the up to 3000 m high Tepuis (table mountains) in South America (Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana). They are exposed to very strong solar radiation up there. Furthermore, the temperature drops very much at night, which does not exactly facilitate the cultivation of these plants.
The plants can reach heights of up to 50 cm. Species such as H. tatei can form stems and can reach 3 m. The red "lid" at the top of the pitchers produce nectar, which exudes a sweet smell. The colors and this scent attract the insects. Once they slip inside the pitcher, escape is almost impossible due to the hairs pointing downwards. In contrast to other carnivores, sun pitchers decompose their prey with the help of bacteria. For this reason, the species of this genus are only precarnivorous.




Light: very bright
Humidity: >60 %
Temperature: Day: 20-25 °C, night: 10-15 °C
Substrate: Sphagnum mixture
Watering: no accumulation of water or just a little bit
Propagation: Division, seeds





Heliamphora minor

My own experience:
This relatively small sun pitcher was one of my first species of this genus. In my first highland terrarium (without lower night temperatures) it just stayed alive and looked more or less good.
Only when I moved my terrarium into the basement and was able to offer colder temperatures to this type, the lids developed particularly well and the pitcher turned deep red. Since then, this vigorous species has been a real eye-catcher.


Level of difficulty: mittel

Heliamphora minor
Plant
Heliamphora minor
Plant
Heliamphora minor
Flower




Heliamphora pulchella

My own experience:
In addition to H. minor, this small sun pitcher with the hairs in the pitcher is one of my favorites! The growth may be a bit slower than that of H. minor, but overall this species apparently grows very well under my conditions and forms beautiful lids.
Right now I grow several location types of this species, all of which differ slightly from one another. My favorite form so far is from Churi Tepui.


Level of difficulty: mittel

Heliamphora pulchella
Plant (Chimanta)
Heliamphora pulchella
Plant (Churi)
Heliamphora pulchella
Flower (Chimanta)





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