Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 11/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello again this is Matt and I have a question about using fertilizer for nepenthes. I have been growing these beautiful plants for about 4 months now and I have learned so much.


But, my plants have not been doing their best in producing pitchers or even leaves. So I have been thinking about giving them a boost with some fertilizer.

The only problem is I don't what kind of fertilizer or directions for using it. The only thing I do know is that you CANNOT use regular plant fertilizer.

Do you guys at cobra plants use fertilizer for your nepenthes?

I plan on fertilizing my 3 plants which are n clipeata x eymae, n sanguinea orange, and n ventricosa.


I really look forward to your help experts.

         thanks - Matt

ANSWER: Hi Matt,

We currently fertilize our plants once a week with a dilute fertilizer.  It's applied as a foliar spray.  We're currently using Maxsea 16-16-16 at 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water.  Our plants are also top-watered frequently and have rapid runoff.

If you have your plants in more houseplant-like conditions, and have trays under them, fertilize once every two weeks in spring and summer, and once a month in winter.  The dosage mentioned above is fine.

The type of fertilizer you use isn't as important as some may have led you to believe.  It just needs to be dilute.  The Maxsea that is so popular right now is a "regular plant fertilizer".  It is great on vegetables.  Because Nepenthes are partly epiphytic, they respond better to fertilizer for those kinds of plants, particularly orchids.  What makes them a little different is they don't have urea in them.  We explain this in the volume #3 DVD.  http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38&products_id=257

Here's a super important note, however, about fertilizing.  Fertilizer only helps plants when the other growing conditions are good; i.e. adequate light, water, temperatures.  It will do no good, and can be harmful if your other growing conditions are not optimal.  It is very normal for Nepenthes to slow down and stop pitchering in the winter when daylight hours are short.  In our greenhouse we boost the day with Metal Halide lights.

Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: Hi I recently purchased some orchid fertilizer like you said, named Grow More orchid fertilizer urea free 20 - 10 - 20. I don't know if you are familiar with this one.

I just wanted to get your opinion whether this is safe and good before I use it. And also , I am not sure if I should water my plants with it or use it like a foliar spray like you said you use ?

         thanks - matt

Answer
Hi Matt,

The Grow-More fertilizers are great for Nepenthes.  Whether or not you spray or soil fertilize depends some on how you care for your plants.  Like I said before, if you have trays, watering is less frequent, and they don't get as much runoff.  With this situation I would foliar feed.  If you water heavy and frequent like we do, soil fertilizing is fine.  We foliar fertilize simply because it's easier with hundreds of plants.

Good Growing!

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