Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 12/11/2011

Question
Hello I have a short question about fertilizing for nepenthes. Currently I am using a 20 - 10 - 20 of growmore orchid fertilizer on my plants.

I use it by watering my plant's soil with it, but I was wondering if I could also mist my plants with the diluted orchid fertilizer whenever I wanted ?

Would this help ? or make things worse ?

Also , I have read another question here on allexperts about misting and how it can be harmful to nepenthes as indoor plants , because it causes a constant fluxuation in humidity after the plant is misted , which slows its growth.

is this true?



         thanks for the help ! - Matt

Answer
Hi Matt,

Foliar feeding is great for Nepenthes.  If you are adding liquid fertilizer to soil, twice a month in spring and summer, and once a month in winter is usually fine.  If your plants are under artificial light on a longer day cycle you can do the twice a month all year.

It's important to note here that fertilizer for Nepenthes in not a magic bullet.  Fertilizer only helps them if your growing conditions are optimal; proper light, correct temperatures, consistent watering.  If plants are not in proper light conditions, fertilizer can hurt more than help them.

You're correct about the misting.  Consistent humidity and misting are not the same thing.  Misting can slow plants down because of the constant fluctuation.  Using a pebble tray is more effective since it helps raise the ambient humidity, and is consistent.  I've found that my Nepenthes do fine in my house without any misting.  They just need time to adapt to conditions, and I need to place the plants correctly, such as in a window with enough sun.  It helps if the window isn't exceptionally cold in the winter.

If you don't have a copy yet, consider our volume #3 DVD.  It will give you detailed information on Nepenthes care, repotting, propagation, and will help with troubleshooting problems:  http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38&products_id=257

Good Growing!

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