Carnivorous Plants/floppy leaves

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Expert: - 1/3/2012


Question
Hi,(AGAIN)

I've some nepenthes in ordered( n.veitchii x eyemae and a
n.alata luzon)from e bay. They arrived today with the n.veitchii
x eyemae in excellent condition and the alata with very floppy leaves and pitchers i planted it and watered it in 2 parts perlite 1 part peat moss and 1 part sphagnum moss.THANKS YOU
HOPE YOU HAD AN EXCELLENT NEW YEAR.!!:)

FROM JASON

Answer
Hello Jason,

Floppy leaves can result from not enough water or too much water. In this case, if the plant came bare root, it probably was somewhat dehydrated. You never know what you will get from random sources on ebay as they might not take care of the plants in the same way as a serious nursery would. They may also spend more time in the mail. Watering the plant and keeping it hydrated normally should help out. Just resist the urge to overwater as Nepenthes can suffer root rot in standing water. Just keep the soil moist and keep an eye on new growth. The leaves should stiffen up again with normal hydration.

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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