Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 6/12/2010

Question
Hello, I am in San Jose, California. Since I have ordered from you the two highland nepentheses, one is a N. Ventricosa and the other is a N. Trancata, the plants seem to be very happy and have adapted to my mostly shady balcony/patio. Although I have not transplant them from their three/four inch pots they came in.  Can I transplant one of the nepentheses in a 10"(diameter) and five inch deep  hanging stainless steel planter (with good drainage)?  I have ordered a pound bag of the potting mix from you guys. For the other I am busy looking for a nice ceramic hanging planter or maybe another steel planter(?), that is if you think there will be no problem.
Thank you
Lilbeethoven

Answer
Hi LIlbeethoven,

You can definitely transplant your Nepenthes into larger pots.  Depending on how recent you received your plants, however, it may not be entirely necessary.  If you recently received them, you can keep them in the same pots for the next 6-12 months.  If you prefer that they go into a different pot for aesthetic reasons, that's perfectly OK too.  The bottom line is that it's a personal preference.  There's nothing wrong with transplanting them now, or with your proposed set up.  There's also nothing wrong with keeping the plants in their current pots for now.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin