Secret for growing nepenthes

[aliamyz]

I wonder why my plants producing small pitchers. :'(Is it because of nutrients in the soil? :(i'm using dried sphagum moss .The less nutrient ,the bigger the pitcher(is it true?).

[dom]

I am believe it is because of the lighting and humidity.

[aliamyz]

Do that mean it will still produce big traps even in normal soil.I'm giving them good light and humidity, then why it is still small?

[jonathan]

Hi,

I dun think that nutrient is an issue here... because dried speg moss or speg peat are also highly acidic... pitcher plant produce nutrient from dissolving their prey in their pitcher... correct humidity level and correct lighting does help...

you can try feeding them insect... it will help...

Good luck...

[agustinfranco]

Dear alyamiz:

One factor to tackle when discussing growing conditions is accuracy. Any person can't help any other unless you state exactly the amount of light given and for how long plus the amount of humidity provided to your plant.
Whether you believe it's enough is one thing; is your belief the truth for others?it is another issue.

Gus

[aliamyz]

The light they get is about 7a.m till 11a.m.I always keep the plants above 75% humidity.I never feed them before.Can i just go and buy some worms that they're selling in the pet shop and feed them??

[David]

That's 4 hours of morning sunlight. Is it direct sunlight or dappled sunlight. Humidity seem quite high, however, how about airflow?

Are the newer leaves larger or smaller than the older leaves?

[dom]

I would like to suggest you to get the frozen/live blood worm or daphnia. Which you can get from the fish shop.

[David]

I use pet shop crikets. Very effective. I can see a difference in the plant within 1-2 weeks. However, you've got to immobalised the crikets or else they might chew their way out of the picther if the fluid is not deep enough to drown them immediately.

[aliamyz]

It's in direct sunlight.The leaves are still medium sized compared to the previous ones.

[alienfx]

If possible try to get more sunlight to it and see how.If can 6-8 hours of sunlight.

[David]

Just try feeding the picthers with insect prey and see what happens in 1-2 weeks. Feed only those picthers that have opened and have fluid in the pitchers. Better still feed pitchers that produce nectar around the peristome, pitcher and leaves. That shows that the picther is fresh and ready to eat bugs.

If you are buying pet shop crikets, you can cut the crikets into smaller pieces if the pitcher is not big enough. However, shake the picthers from side to side with these insect parts to bluff the pitcher into believing that an insect is struggling in the fluid. This encourages the picther to produce enzyms to digest the insect part.

If you cannot stomach slicing the crikets into pieces and you want a more humane way of feeding your bugs to your plants, you may place the crikets in a pastic container and leave them in the freezer for a couple of minutes. They will go int a state of hibernation. You can then quickly throw them into the picther. And before they (the insect) know it, the pitcher fluid would make them drunk and they kinda "sleep" off relatively peacefully.

[Ludwig]

Many pet store crickets are nutrient-gorged with additional vitamins designed to benefit reptiles. You should ask for these crickets as they are more beneficial to your plants.

[agustinfranco]

Hi alliamyz:

I'd go with alienfx: Please attempt to increase the amount of sunlight and see what happens.

Gus

[dom]

Another question. If there is a little bit of fluid inside the pitcher, can we fill in the water?

[aliamyz]

No need to dom but if you want to you can fill it.