Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 3/11/2010

Question
I have a N. maxima. Ive had it for about a year. When it puts on new leaves they are very deformed and crinkled up.The leaves are split at the edges. The undeveloped traps usually shrivel up and die before they develop. Its been a long time since ive seen any traps. I dont see any evidence of pests or fungus. It is in a window that supplies enough light for my other nepenthes and I water weekly with bull run water. So do u know what I could be doing wrong?

Answer
Hi Pete,

Nepenthes maxima, the species, is definitely a little fussy.  Oddly, most hybrids of this species are very easy growers.  Try giving it an orchid fertilizer mixed at 1/4 tsp. per gallon of water, once every two weeks.  Generally Nepenthes in windows won't pitcher during the winter anyway during the short days, but see if the feeding helps it now, especially going into spring.  If even that doesn't help at all by May, you may need to consider a way to increase the humidity for the plant.  I always prefer, however, to do a humidity increase as a last resort.  Usually the problems with no pitchers are because of light.

I would like you to send me a photo also.  If I can see your plant, I can get a better idea of what may be going on.  Also, you mentioned the window has enough light for other Nepenthes.  Nepenthes maxima forms usually have red leaves.  This is often an indicator of a plant that likes it bright.  It possible that the window isn't sunny enough.  How many hours of direct sun does the window get on sunny days?

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com