Expert: Christopher Littrell - 11/4/2011

Question
hello...I'm hoping that you can offer some advice. I've had a beautiful pitcher plant for 5 months or so that's been doing really well, it's forming new pitchers that are developing and has also shot out some weird long stem that seems to have seeds at the end.  Me, in my enthusiasm decided to cut off one of the large leaves at the bottom that was dying (I've done this before with good results), this time I think that I may have sliced the stalk a bit with the razor because now it's a week later and the stalk at the bottom is turning yellowish.  Or it could be disease of some sort???  There are actually 2 separate very large stalks in the same pot and the other so far is fine.  HELP! I really love this plant!  Should I just cut it all of and try to root the pieces???  Should I wait to see if the yellow starts moving up, or will that be too late???  Thanks very much!

Answer
Hello Vickie,

If the end of the yellowing vine is still growing, it is fine. In any event, Nepenthes generate new vines often. If there is any damage along one vine, it will begin growing new vines along the lower part that is not damaged.

In any event, what you are probably seeing is aging on that vine. You indicated that the lower part of the vine had a dying leaf and that you clipped it off. As more lower leaves die off, the bottom part of the vine will begin to change color from green to brown and will develop a bark like consistancy.

It sounds like you have a flower scape on your Nepenthes. It will not produce seeds as Nepenthes require a male and female plant to reproduce in that fashion. You can take cuttings in many species of Nepenthes. Root 8-12 inch sections in a vase of water or in moist Nepenthes soil and you should see roots forming after a month or three if your species is one that takes to rooting with that technique easily enough.

Just give the plant time and see what happens. It will probably begin browning at the base, which is normal.

Christopher