Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 12/9/2011

Question
Hello, I've been growing Nepenthes for a couple of years both in a greenhouse & indoors in the Uk. What I cannot get is any pitchers. The ends of the leaves produce little spikes which turn brown without producing pitchers. The plants grow vigorously and look healthy. I've purchased several plants with pitchers, only for the pitchers to die. I've tried growing them in a 5 gallon, upturned clear plastic container to promote humidity, out of the container & only use rain water. I've given them a small dose of orchid plant food & now I'm at a loss. I'll be grateful for any advice before I dump them.
kind regards & Happy Christmas to you all
paul c. uk

Answer
Hi Paul,

Ahh, the one growing element you didn't tell about in your post, light.  80-90% problems with Nepenthes not making pitchers has to do with how much light their getting.  Contrary to popular belief, humidity plays a much more minor role.  To this day I still read all over the internet, and on labels from big nurseries not to give Nepenthes direct sun.  It's nonsense.  In a house or greenhouse glass blocks about 80% of UV light, so keeping them in a direct sun exposure isn't going to be too much. (Keeping them outdoors during the summer is a little different story.)  Also, since you live in the U.K., your weather is similar to ours here in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.  Winters are very cloudy, and morning fog is common.  We just don't get all that much sun, so you want them in the brightest exposure.  You will want them on the south side of a greenhouse, or south window in the house for the winter.  During the summer a west window is often the best.

It's also very common for Nepenthes to loose their pitchers in the winter when days are short.  When daylight hours drop below 10 hours many varieties stop making pitchers until the days get longer.  To keep them making pitchers it becomes necessary to give them artificial light to boost the daylight hours.

Good Growing!

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