Expert: Christopher Littrell - 6/9/2011

Question
I have a nepenthes ventricosa which I've had for three years. This month I set it outside in the same spot its been in since I bought it. Last year it had great pitchers, this year nothing. Its growing fine, just no traps. Its hanging in a basket under a Japanese maple tree, it gets filtered sunlight all day, its growing in 50/50 peat/perlite. What does it need? I can't find the orchid fertilizer you recommend around here, just stuff with urea.

Answer
Hello Craig,

Has the plant been repotted in fresh soil yearly? Has it experienced any chemical sprays for mold or insects recently? Has it been moved from a high humidity environment to a low humidity environment recently or had any drastic temperature changes?

Any and all of those factors can play a part in pitcher formation for varying reasons. If the plant has not captured any insects for a long period of time, it could be in need of a shot of nitrogen from fertilizers. The only fertilizer recommended is orchid foliar feed as fertilizers in the soil in sizable amounts can harm carnivorous plants. Nepenthes can handle some, but best if the plant produces its own pitchers and captures its own prey. Since I personally do not use fertilizers at all on my carnivorous plants, you may want to contact Sarracenia Northwest experts for their take on your situation and see what they can come up with.

It sounds like the plant has not formed pitcfhers in some time presumably during winter? In the future, you may want to invest in some shop lights or florescent fixtures that will provide the plant with a minimum of 6000 to 12000 lumens fo light in the cool white range. I have mine growing all year under florescents up to 18000 lumens and they pitcher all year round. Vary the daylength from 12 hours in winter to 16 in summer to give the plants seasonal cues.

Christopher