Triffid Nurseries

Genus: HELIAMPHORA

South American pitcher plants growing on and around the tepuis of Venezuela and Northern Brazil. These plants require cool, humid growing conditions and bright diffused light. Plant in 4:1 perlite:peat with a 1" collar of live sphagnum supporting the crown of the plant, and mist frequently. Protect from temps over 32ºC, and if growing under artificual lights, maintain a 12-14hr photoperiod. Fresh seed is easy to germinate on the perlite:peat mix described above, but take care transplanting the seedlings, as the roots are very brittle.

Species: H. heterodoxa	Common Name: None
Distribution: Venezuela

Probably the best known species, this one produces pitchers up to 12 inches tall, prominently veined with red in good light. Well suited to the first-time Heliamphora grower.

Species: H. ionasii	Common Name: None
	Distribution: Venezuela

Widely held to be the most beautiful species, and certainly the biggest, this one grows pitchers up to 22" tall suffused with many shades of red and topped by a large crimson nectar spoon (as the pitcher lids are correctly termed.) This species seems less tolerant of temperatures above 30ºC than most of the others and appreciates good humidity.

Species: H. minor	Common Name: None
	Distribution: Venezuela

Small pot-bellied pitchers no more than 2 or 3 inches tall which become suffused by fine red veins in good light. This species is well suited to the first time Heliamphora grower.

Species: H. nutans	Common Name: None
	Distribution: Venezuela

Beautiful pitchers, coloured apricot and red in good light up to a height of 14-16 inches or so. Very easy and fast growing, and also more heat-tolerant than the other species. Highly recommended to the first-time Heliamphora grower.

Species: H. tatei	Common Name: None
	Distribution: Venezuela

A lovely plant with a curious growth habit in the wild, producing a woody stem up to 12 feet high, topped by a rosette of pitchers! I am unaware of any cultivated specimens displaying this habit, but it is anyway certainly a most attractive plant with finely veined pitchers up to 18 inches.