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Carnivorous Plants/nepenthes x miranda

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Expert: - 7/12/2011


Question
hi christopher littrell once again my question is i both some maxsea 16-16-16 and what is the best way to use this on my plant mist it or just water it like i all ways do i haven't use it yet because i want to use it on my n.miranda and my baby n,turncata thank again for all your help

Answer
Hello Robert,

I am not sure I understand your question, but I think your asking about fertilizing Nepenthes with Orchid foliar feed, is that correct?

I don't fertilize my carnivorous plants, however; the way to proceed would be to mix it in 1/4 or less strength solution in water and then to lightly mist the leaves or wipe it on the leaves with a cloth. You can let some spray inside the pitchers. A few drops on the soil would not harm the plants, but the less the better. It is way too easy to over-fertilize and harm the plants than not to fertilize at all and have the plants survive. You would only want to fertilize at most once every couple of weeks.

For expert advice on fertilizing carnivorous plants you would want to talk to Sarracenia Northwest. They regularly fertilize their plants as they have them in large quantities and have that aspect of carnivorous plant cultivation down to a science.

Christopher

Carnivorous Plants

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Christopher Littrell

Expertise

I am capable of answering questions about the most common carnivorous plants found in cultivation. I have no personal experience with Byblis, Drosophyllum, Aldrovanda, and Heliamphora. I have not cultivated gemmae forming pygmy sundews nor tuberous sundews. For information regarding those aforementioned species, I would suggest contacting other experts. I can answer questions regarding most species of Nepenthes, tropical and temperate Drosera, Mexican Pinguicula, Sarracenias, and Dionaea. I have some limited experience with growing Utricularia, Cephalotus, and Darlingtonia.

Experience

I have grown carnivorous plants off and on for about 27 years. I have made the same mistakes and suffered the same mishaps that many growers make as they attempt to separate the myths from the realities of growing these plants. Currently, I am successfully growing a variety of tropical sundews, a Nepenthes, several Venus Flytraps of varying ages, and Sarracenias. I have been successful in stratifying Sarracenia seeds and providing artificial dormancy requirements for my temperate plants when needed.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. Over my lifetime, I have constantly read books involving the growing conditions of carnivorous plants. I hope to incorporate the educational aspects involved in psychology with teaching other people how to cultivate carnivorous plants.

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