Question
i was interested in getting a Heliamphora pulchella, but i dont use terrariums.  I have had luck growing my cephalotus for over a year in the house and i had seen your pod cast and care sheet about Heli's in the house and was wondering if you though this Heli would be a good house plant, assuming i give it the light, temp, and humidity it likes.  Thanks

Lloyd

Answer
Some growers have had good luck growing their Heliamphora without a terrarium.  Others, not so good.  I happen to be one of those that didn't have good luck when I tried growing a Heliamphora in a south window.  The specific microclimate in my home wasn't good enough.  My customer in the podcast, however, is lucky to have the right microclimate.

In general, larger adult plants will have an easier time acclimating to much lower humidity than small young plants with juvenile leaves.  Depending on how the plant is shipped, you may not have a choice in using a terrarium.  If it's shipped bareroot, you would be wise to use a terrarium to help it acclimate.  You can then transition it to lower humidity after you see at least a couple new leaves.  This will let you know that the roots had recovered from the shipping trauma.  

If you it's shipped potted, you could potentially try growing it without a terrarium.  But you should be prepared to place it in one if you see the slightest decline in growth.

For more information about Heliamophora, watch Volume 3 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series.
http://www.cobraplant.com/DVD

Good growing!
Jacob Farin