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Carnivorous Plants/adequate light for nepenthes
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QUESTION: My nepenthes ventricosa has been sitting in a south facing window since Sept. and I've been using the orchid fertilizer as you recommended, every two weeks, as well as water when needed. It appears the same as the photo I sent,maybe more spindly and the leaves slightly rolled. My question is, would it perhaps get more beneficial light if I would put it under 40watt flourescent light in lieu of sunlight? I have a 10 gal fish tank I could set the pot in with a flourescent reflector from a 55gal. tank a few inches from the top of the plant. Is this better for the proper lighting than some sunlight at a window?
ANSWER: Hi Craig,
In this situation the fish tank idea could be helpful. It could be that your just not getting quite enough light, and days are getting very short now too. If you put it in the fish tank it will elevate the humidity some, which N. ventricosa likes, and the walls help reflect additional light from the fluorescent light. If you can position the plant to get some ambient natural light combined with the fluorescent light, even better. Use a timer and give the plant about a 14 hour day. So, the bottom line is give it a try.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: It gets no natural light being that its now in the basement, with small ground level windows, but I can make it humid with a glass cover covering part of the top.
Hi Craig,
Sorry for being a bit slow to answer. I've had a recent family emergency.
A partial covering is fine. Be sure to leave some ventilation. A totally enclosed tank is often a recipe other problems. Also, since the fluorescent light is now your sole source of light, be sure to have the plant fairly close to the tubes. I would say to get it within 3 inches of the light.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
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Answers by Expert:
Sarracenia Northwest
Expertise
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!
Experience
With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again.
Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.
No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.
Just the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate
thousands of carnivorous plants each year.
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