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Carnivorous Plants/pitcher-less Nepenthes

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Expert: - 6/24/2011


Question
Nepenthes
Nepenthes
Hi,
I have had this Nepenthes Deroose Alata (at least that's what I think it is) for about two years.  It has been living the past year in my dorm room in a west facing window and produced only one pitcher last fall, which eventually fell-off and it hasn't produced any since.  The plant has been producing a lot of new leaves and has grown a lot in size, though.  I came back home to Michigan about a month ago and put it outside (as you can see in the picture) so it can get more light, but it doesn't seem to be doing much better.

When it got too big, I had a family friend help me re-pot the plant a year ago.  The soil/perlite he used wasn't %100 fertilizer free, so I am wondering if that might have something to do with the lack of pitchers?

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Shinri,

Overall your plant looks really healthy, and just like a deRoose alata I had for a few years at my previous house.  That plant was in a large north window and produced lots of leaves, but no pitchers.  As soon as it was moved to a window that got no less than 3 hours of direct sun it began to pitcher.  However, it took at least a month to see new pitcher development.

Your outside location could work very well.  If you can position your plant so it gets some full sun in the morning for an hour or two, then dappled light for the rest of the day it should do well.  It will take time for it to pitcher.  Don't be tempted to move it once you find a good spot.  Moving will retard pitcher development.  Plants don't move around in nature; they like stable conditions.

Don't worry about the fertilizer in the soil.  Nepenthes don't a mind a little fertilizer in their soil.  They are very different than other carnivorous plants.  You might also consider taking a look at our volume #3 DVD:  http://www.cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38&products_id=...

Good Growing!

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

Sarracenia Northwest

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