Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 11/7/2011

Question
I am growing  nepenthes copelandii in Oklahoma, in a south window that receives four or more hours of sunlight per day. This plant is in your nepenthes soil mix, and is watered with distilled water. This plant had just made a large pitcher when it continued growing but stopped pitchering for a while. It continued to grow new leaves and now every leaf but that first one after the largest pitcher has started making pitchers. The problem is that the hoods of these new pitchers aren't growing as the pitcher grows so the seal is broken and the pitcher is forced to open early. I had this premature opening happen to a Nepenthes ventricosa growing in the same conditions, but it only happened to one pitcher.This on the copelandii has happened to all the newest pitchers although the leaves haven't gotten smaller. Why is the plant doing this and how do I end it? Thank you for any help you can give.

Answer
This is a common problem, even for us.  It's not a problem per se, but it is indicative that the microclimate is fluctuating a lot.  Nepenthes prefer relatively stable conditions.  They can tolerate lower humidity, but if it fluctuates wildly, they will produce abnormal pitchers, which is evident in your plant.  (The developing tendrils are very sensitive to humidity changes.)  At our nursery, we typically see this type of pitchers in early summer as we switch seasons.  So nothing is wrong with your plant.  It looks very healthy.  The abnormal hood is just one of the things some growers have to accept when growing these plants in cultivation.  Just make sure the soil isn't allowed to dry out and the plant is away from drafts and heating vents.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin