Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 5/15/2010

Question
Most all of the stems on my Nepenthes are brown and desicated starting at the base of the plant the stem and leaves begin to looking brown and dry. This "death" works its way along a green healthy looking stem to where it ends with what looks to be the beginnings of the pitcher. Everything that is green looks very healthy. Left alone eventually the entire stem and the leaves dry up and that stem is dead. There is new growth showing from the base of the plant. What should I do? Can I save the plant? Start new plants using the apparently still healthy green parts of the plant?
Thanks

Answer
Hi Sandra,

Nepenthes is a technically a woody vine. What you're seeing is the older part of the vine developing a bark.  This is completely normal, especially with the faster growing Nepenthes.  

Over time, the plant will also produce basal shoots.  That too is normal.  Sometimes the main vine may die off, and this too is normal.  Some species and hybrid, however will retain the main vine.  You didn't mention the species or hybrid you have, so I can't really comment if your plant is one of those that will normally retain the main vine or allow it to die off while new shoots develop.

Overall, based on your description, the plant is healthy and undergoing its normal cycle.  If you are still concerned about the plant, please write back and upload a clear photograph of the entire plant.

I also suggest that you take a look at our photo gallery.  We have lots of photographs of Nepenthes in various stages of development.
http://www.cobraplant.com/gallery

On May 17, we are also releasing Volume 3 of the Grow Carnivorous Plant DVD series.  In this volume we cover Nepenthes.
http://www.cobraplant.com/DVD

Good growing!
Jacob Farin