SUN PITCHER PLANT
Heliamphora
Heliamphora are also known as Sun Pitcher Plants, and are from South America.
They actually don't produce digestive enzymes themselves, as the constant rain would just wash them away. Instead, they rely on bacteria to break down trapped prey.
The pitchers are built to withstand lots of wind. There is also a small hole in the pitcher to let water out but not prey. Otherwise, the pitcher would fill up, dumping out all the prey.
SOIL
I think a mix of two parts sphagnum moss to one part perlite works best. The perlite helps to keep the soil airy.
DORMANCY
These are tropical plants, so no dormancy is needed. They do appreciate a drop in temperature at night, however.
WATERING
I use the tray method for watering. It is perfectly fine for the plants to be sitting in water, as they are often flooded in the wild.
PROPAGATION
There are two methods of propagation. Seed and division. The flowers of Heliamphora are weird. The pollen only matures after the stigma loses its receptiveness. This means that you have to wait for the first flower to have pollen, and the second flower to have an active stigma to have successful pollination. Bees pollinate these plants in the wild, so you'll need a tuning fork to get pollen. Transfer the pollen to the stigma. These plants really like to divide. The new plants can be separated.
