where to put different plants in a terrarium?

[offsides16]

I'm just starting up with this hobby and want to make sure I get everything right from the git-go. Please see my introduction post in the Introduction forum for details on me and mine. The following might make more sense that way.

I've set up my terrarium -- a 2x1x1 fish tank with glass top that can be opened halfway and easily removed. I read first an inch of sand, perhaps with a little gravel mixed it for a base, then a mix of peat and perlite, then a thin layer of sphagnum on top. Since some CPs want wet feet and other, like VFTs require damp, the peat mix should slope, VFTs uphill, pitchers down. So what about drosera and pings et al?

I'm also wrestling with the question of the guys who require dormancy and those who should stay inside wintertime. No sense in mixing them in a terrarium when come winter it will be toted off to my unheated workshop!

Finally, I'm not sure how big these guys get... I mean the terrarium I've started currently only has 2 VFTs, 1 drosera, 1 ping, and 2 sar. purpura and I've not read how crowded is ok/best for them.

I have many more plants (hopefully -- albeit running late in the mail) en route from Equilibrio, and I'd appreciate any suggestions on how best to organize these guys. I suspect I'll need to prepare another terrarium, or a bigger one, and best if I did before this shipment arrives. Here's a pic I just took so you have a better idea.

i126.photobucket.com/albums/p99/offsides16/terrarium09-04-09_whole.jpg

And here's a general list of what's on the way (+how many already here):

VFTs 8 (+2)
drosera 3 (+1)
ping. 1 (+1)
sar. 5 (+2)
Nep. 1 (+0)
Hel. 1 (+0)

That's a lot of plants! The Hel and Nep will have separate pots/places, of course. Most of the pitchers are/will be too tall for a terrarium, so they're out as well. That leaves the first three on the list. Room for 6 non-dionaea among 10?

I'm sorry if this post runs a bit long, but I imagine that many newbies face many of the same questions. I hope my subject header will help searches hit.

All thoughts and suggestions are hugely appreciated!

[unstuckintime]

The Venus Flytraps and the S. Purpurea will need a dormancy, and so growing them in a terrarium might not be such a hot idea. It's a heluvalot easier just to grow 'em outside. The Sundew and the Butterwort, though, could be either Tropical or Temperate. If they are the former, then a terrarium will work, but if they are the latter, then you should put 'em outside with the Flytrap and Sarracenia.
A terrarium is very prone to fungal problems, so, perhaps you should try going for a potted terrarium, which is a terrarium but the plants remain in their seperate pots and the water table is controlled more easily.
A Heliamphora is a good choice for a terrarium, but they are difficult plants to grow (I've been growing CP for a few years and I haven't gotten the courage to try 'em yet, so...) and Nepenthes can get huge in a few year's time...
My advice would be to keep a potted terrarium, growing tropical sundews (D. Capensis, D. Adelae, and assorted pygmies), and maybe some utricularia (U. Sandersonii is an excellent beginner species), and that Nepenthes to get your feet wet in growing these plants.

Good luck!

[bob123]

offsides16,

I agree with unstuckintime. The Sarracenia and Dionea would probably love it outside where you are. From one begginer to another, the Sarracenia and Dionea have always grown better for me outside. The Nep, depending on the species, would probaly be fine on a sunny window, especially if it is a larger plant. The same applies on the sundews. The only plant(s) that would need the terrarium would be the Ping and Heliamphora. I hope this helps.