Question
I read your step-by-step instructions on acclimating FVT's from their death boxes to outdoor conditions. My question is, how low relative humidity will they take. I live in Phoenix AZ, and in summer the temps reach 115 with relative humidity levels as low as 5%. Could the plants be grown indoors as window seal plants? I have no idea what the indoor R/H is.
Tom

Answer
Hi Tom,

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you.  We've had shows to get ready for, and have been swamped.

Yes, to answer your question.  I often recommend to folks in the desert southwest the opposite of someone who lives someplace like Minnesota.  In the north plants need extra protection from severe cold.  In your area it's best to have the plants outside fall, winter and spring, then move to a sunny window inside to keep the temperature manageable during the summer.  Don't worry too much about the humidity indoors.  Just make sure the plant always has a shallow reservoir of either distilled or R.O. water.  The soil provides ambient humidity.

For acclimating them to low humidity, you need to start now.  Your temperatures are very moderate at this time, and the flytraps would come out of dormancy and start growing.  Leave them outside until you get your first days in the upper 90's then it will be time to move them to a sunny window.

Another recommendation for your area would be to plant your flytraps in terracotta pots.  Use a 6-8" pot.  We don't normally recommend this, but in hot climates the terracotta provides significant cooling.

Good Growing!

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