Expert: Christopher Littrell - 9/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I recently purchased a nepenthes hamata from exoticplantsplus.com it
came looking healthy but lately the leave have been getting smaller and
smaller and it hasn't produced any pitchers either. I have experience with
other highland nepenthes and I had success with them. Please give me
some tips.
         Thanks,
         Michael fallen

ANSWER: Hello Michael,

If you can send a follow-up with more information about the amount of light and humidity the plant gets and how long you have had the plant I might be able to determine what is happening to it.

Nepenthes, as you probably surmised, do not like drastic humidity and temperature changes and need rather high amounts of light, though not full sunlight thankfully.

Add any information about the environment you have the plant in so that I can get a grasp on what condition may be causing your plant problems.

Christopher

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
I'm growing it indoors under two 48'" tubes about a foot above the plants.
I'm not shure about the humidity. I've had the plant for about 2 1/2 months
and I was told that it was acclimated to lower humidity. It's growing in a
mix of orchid bark, long fiber sphagnum , and perlite with a top dressing of
sphagnum to help keep humidity up around the plant. I hope this helps!

Answer
Hello Michael,

You might need to increase the amount of light the plant gets. A small Nepenthes up to about a foot in height or width might be fine under just two tubes of cool white florescent light, however; as the plants get bigger, they simply need more coverage and more intensity to support larger growth. For instance, as my N. sanguinea grew to four foot height and developed 9 inch pitchers, I had to increase the amount of light it gets from four tubes of cool white 40 watt florescents (12000 lumens). When I failed to do so, the plant produced smaller pitchers, or none at all, and generally smaller growth patterns. When I increased the light to three twin mount cool white 40 watt shop lights (about 18000 lumens), they developed normally again.

I have never grown N. hamata, however; some of the highlands really do need lower night time temperature drops down to about 60 degrees or they will fail to grow properly in the long run.

The quick easy bet would be more light. If increasing light intensity does not help, then we can move on to other aspects.

You may also want to try some of the other experts on the site. I believe Sarracenia Northwest has grown N. hamata and may have some direct experience they can provide you with.

Christopher