I've been growing CP since about 1975, and using internet about 2 days.
We'll see if I manage to do this right. I am currently growing
Nepenthes, Sarracenia, Darlingtonia, Utricularia, Drosera, Pinguicula,
Cephalotus, Dionea, etc. The Utrics and Pings are North American,
everything else is just what strikes me and is available. In grad
school I started out with a few plants in my aprtment, and moved them
from Knoxville (UT) to Tampa, to the midwest, and back to Tampa. A high
point over the years has been discovering natural Sarracenia hybrids in
the wild, (xCatesbei, xMooreanna, xGilipini) and new Sarracenia sites; a
low point was one of my first years in Florida when I discovered that
the endless summer wasn't always and I was three states away while my
Nepenthes experienced the freeze of 85.
Don, I noticed you are in Plantation. Being in Tampa, I can confirm
that here the plants grow outside. For myself, I have both Nepenthes
and Sarracenia outside. Some of the Sarracenia are planted in the
ground, others and the Nepenthes are planted in live sphagnum in pots.
My major problem with planted Sarracenias is their need for water. The
plants need so much water I have a difficult time keeping the ground wet
enough for them. For those in pots, a few of the Nepenthes are on the
lower shelves to reduce exposure to the sun. Others get almost as much
sun as the Sarracenias. Humidity is not always as high as it ought to
be, so during dry spells I mist the plants. Sarracenia I leave out all
year, the Nepenthes I bring in during cold spells (or when I'm out of
town -see freeze of 85). I do not use shade cloth over my Nepenthes,
although as I recall Bruce Bednar did when he was in Ocala. Another
grower I know in St Pete also shades her Nepenthes. I hope this has
give! n you some ideas.
As for your pond, I had considered trying this too, if you proceed, I'd
love to here how it works out.
Allthebest Tom Massey@hal.fmhi.usf.edu