They’re not too difficult. I started my journey with them earlier this year cause they were just too cool not to go for. Got my from California Carnivores and they came in good shape.
I repotted right away which probably slowed growth a bit as they probably didn’t have enough time to acclimate after shipping but they continue to grow strong.
About a month ago I started noticing an uptick in pitcher death and decided to repot again as I had a feeling that the soil might be too tightly compacted for growth. Loosened up with fresh carnivourse soil mix and course sand with a long strand sphagnum moss core in the bottom of the pot to draw up water. It was a gamble but it payed off. I had a semi adult pitcher that just opened up 3 days ago and it’s looking good.
Main thing I found is to make sure the soil stays moist but has good drainage especially at the bottom so that the roots don’t rot. I also bought a Venus Flytrap at the same time that seemed to have springtails so I made sure to transfer some of those over as from what I’ve read they love to eat mold and won’t really leave the pot unless you have a humidity issue and mold in you house, as springtails require high humidity to survive.
I also do a monthly float feed of highly diluted max sea.
Here’s also the rest of the setup materials I’ve used.
*1 for misting with distilled, 1 for misting with diluted Max Sea.
Beautify Beauties Hair Spray Bottle – Ultra Fine Continuous Water Mister for Hairstyling, Cleaning, Plants, Misting & Skin Care (5 Ounce) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GRD5WLD/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8EKQ2NGCNWP7QHPM07FW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
*LECA for in the bottom of the pot. Thing a ring of this around the Sphagnum core. (Make sure to rinse and soak in distilled before using)
Organic Expanded Clay Pebbles Grow Media for Orchids, NFT DWC Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Aquaculture Plant Garden Soil Conditioner Amendment (2 LB Cz Expanded Clay Pellets) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GN9A6LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_9N94DYA5HVENMJVS55Y8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
*Soil mix
Perfect Plants Carnivorous Plant Soil | 4 Qts. Organic Premium Mix | Use with Venus Fly Traps, Pitcher Plants, or Other Carnivorous Plants https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089H2R9GZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_6ZA9KKVXSER2RT7YCVDG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
*Course sand to mix in the the soil. I did pretty much 1:1 until I got the the mounding in the pot. Then I used 1 part sand to 2 parts soil.
2.7 lb Coarse Sand Stone -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NSFV13W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Spagmoss Premium New Zealand Sphagnum Moss AA Grade (100 Gram) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L5JT5II/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WXMM37C5T26ZMSPHCC47?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
*Make sure whatever pot you choose it is ceramic inside and out and drains. Taller is good so that the roots don’t grow into the tray and rot but you can always mound up the the mix to get more height in a shorter pot.
*I used one of these to build and support the mound of soil for the ceph on the 2nd repotting. I cut off the bottom and much of the connections leavening 3 short sets of 2 to provide structure while the most grows in.
Hydroponic Planting Basket, Heavy Duty Mesh Pot Net Cup Basket Hydroponic Plant Grow Clone Hydroponic Basket, 10 Pcs(Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VFSLD3B/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MXDZYVFN97MHVNQFY8YA?psc=1
I also got these from ikea. If you flip the base over it’s deep enough to to hold water. I just had to add felt feet around the pot so that the pressure difference inside the wouldn’t push the water out.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/begavning-glass-dome-with-base-50343939/
Also goes nice with this tray
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/glattis-tray-brass-color-70350113/
California carnivores is where I got my cephalotus and they were decent for a really young plant. I think it’s a standard ceph not any specific variety. I also got my fertilizer from them as you don’t need a lot and buying the standard sized containers of max sea is too expensive.
https://www.californiacarnivores.com/products/cephalotus-follicularis
I might try Rainbow carnivores in the future if I were to try and get a specific variety and their plants seem to be more mature but more expensive obvi.
I’ve grown rather fond of these.