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Carnivorous Plants/Fungus on the peristome?
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Question
Greetings! I have a red type Nepenthes Ventricosa, and first I noticed tiny black spots on the peristome of one of it's pitchers some weeks ago. Now the entire peristome got black, as well as the lid (from the margin to the inside). I think this is not the normal dieback of the pitcher (it would be brown and would dry faster till half of the picher cup). I kept my plant outside, but the weather was cool and really wet in the past two months. Now I keep my plant indoors as the temperature is getting too low here (I live in Hungary).
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Do you have any idea what could this be? The attached picture might be helpful.
With many thanks:
Steven
Thank you for the photo. That's very helpful. The black mold on the peristome is actually normal and is sometimes related to normal die back. The pitcher secretes lots of nectar, which will sometimes attract mold. It doesn't harm the plant at all. Instead, it's mostly a cosmetic issue. You can spray the plant with Neem or sulfur, but generally that type of blackening is permanent. The most you can do is prevent future mold growth by spraying your plant weekly or monthly.
It's perfectly OK to cut off the pitcher if you don't looking at the black peristome.
For information about using fungicides, watch our video on the subject:
http://www.cobraplant.com/videos
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
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If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!
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