Question
QUESTION: Hi, I just orderd a Cephalotus from you guys. So Im planning to grow it in a small tank in its own pot with a 42 watt florescent "curly" bulb. The energy saving type. The package says  its the equivuient wattage of a 150 watt incandescent bulb. It also says that the light output is 2700 lumens. So Im wondering, would you say this enough light to grow a Cephalotus with no additional lighting?
Thanks a bunch!

ANSWER: Hi Charles,

That bulb should be fine.  It's plenty bright.  You may need to play around with how far to suspend it over the plant.  It won't every be too bright, but the just watch how warm the bulb is on the plants.


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the last answer. I really appreciate it.
 I forgot to ask, how long should the light be on, in order for its dormancy to occur?

    Thanks again,
    Charles

Answer
Hi Charles,

Go for about a 10 hour day in the winter, and 14-16 hours in the summer.  We find in the greenhouse that Cephalotus don't go totally dormant.  The shift growth patterns some and slow down a little during the shortest days.  You don't notice it much since Cephalotus is a pretty slow grower anyway.  It's not like Sarracenia or Flytraps where it's obvious when they're dormant.


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com