Hey Folks,
My take on the outdoor Neps is this. Any species that grows at around 1000 meters or higher in nature is fair game for outdoors. I recently moved a N. rafflesiana outdoors and the thing has doubled in size as opposed to the one I'm growing indoors as a windowsill plant. My albomarginatas are doing better outdoors as well. Also, for some reason, stuff from the Philippines does well outdoors too. Like truncata, philippinensis, and other "lowland / intermediate" Philippine guys. Don't know why that is. I got a merrilliana that appears to be adapting to "highland" conditions too. So whether it's the sunshine, fresh air, or my personal "willing them to live" speeches, they kick! And I think when Rob says he greenhouse hardens his plants for at least a year is vital. That way when I purchase them from Tony or Dean the plants don't miss a beat. My Neps can go from upper 30's (for limited exposure) to 90's (with shading) and can deal with it. So it's not surprising to me that I hear many other enthusiasts having great successs with their Neps adapting them to their growing environments. I will say that I had good success growing lowlanders under lights indoors with great results. But that got expensive and they quickly outgrew my closet! Especially N. bicalcarata. I think with a little ingenuity, experimentation, and perseverance, anyone can get this killer Neps to adapt to somewhat less than prime growing conditions at their homes.
Joel