Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 3/31/2011

Question
Hi there, I recently just ordered a ventricosa x ampullaria from another vendor and when I received it, there was obvious shipping damage. It was if the P.O did everything but jump on the box itself. Aside from a broken grow tip which I am not to concerned about, the leaves were a yellowish green with a waxy look as well as having brown spots all over them. I assumed this was from shipping damage as well until I started looking around online and saw it could be a fungus or pest issue. I have only had the plant a week and am a first time grower with little experience and don't want to loose my first time around.

The plant came potted with a correct soil mixture, including LFS, perilite and orchid bark. The lighting consists of 2 T-12 lights about 6 inches above the top of the plant. The plant itself is inside a 20 gallon fish tank with a plexi-glass top on all but 2 inches to allow air throughout the day. I water overhead every 2 days until the water drains out the bottom. The temps usually low/mid 60s at night to upper 70s during day. Humidity fluctuates between 60 and 75 % during the day. I am in a B5 climate but being indoors until summer shouldn't effect anything.

Should I be worried about a fungus or pest? I have 2 other plants in the tank and they aren't exactly showing signs yet but I am afraid of something transferring.

I have enclosed a link to a flicker account with pictures, one of the overall plant which is growing sideways (shipping threw it around and I didn't want to stress it anymore by repotting it), hopefully that isn't problematic or something that would detour growth? Others include individual leaves and leaf bases. Hope it helps and if you can't see them, let me know and I will figure out how to repost them!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/61261319@N07/

I would really appreciate some help, the seller is sending me a new one but I would like to save this one if possible, thanks!

Answer
Thank you for sharing the link to the photos.  That helped me out a lot.  There isn't anything seriously wrong with the plant.  What you're seeing is the result of leaf damage from the shipping process.  Consider them as leaf scars.  From your photos, I don't see anything that resembles damage from pests or fungus.  The patterns are more consistent with leaf trauma.

While it's unfortunate that the growing tip was damaged, the plant should recover.  Typically when the growing tip is damaged, the plant will attempt to produce a new shoot lower on the plant.  However, this may take up to 6 months.  The damaged leaves are also permanent, and there's nothing you can do to undo the leaf scars.  The only thing to do is grow it in an optimal growing condition and wait for new growth.  Give your plant several months to produce a new set of leaves and pitchers.  After that you can cut off the damaged leaves.  

For examples of common problems with Nepenthes, watch Volume 3 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series:
http://www.cobraplant.com/DVD

Good growing!
Jacob Farin