Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 6/9/2005

Question
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Followup To
Question -
I just ordered an Asian Pitcher plant from you guys and I keep reading everywhere (including your site) that I shouldn't keep it in standing water because it might rot the roots. Well, in my terrarium I have standing water for all my plants (covers the entire bottom of the terrarium) and I have an airpump with airstones that keeps the water moving at all times. Would this be ok to let my new Nep stand in? Or should I rasie it above the water and water it using the tray method, letting it dry out between waterings?
Answer -
Hi Mitch,

The circulation in your terrarium is good, but indeed Nepenthes don't like to be standing in water.  Nepenthes, with just a couple minor exceptions, are not bog plants.  They grow on the edges of tropical rainforests in partially open areas.  They like moist soil, but not waterlogged soil.

I would raise it up above the water level and top water it.  The advantage of your set-up is that it will be very humid, and the plant will love that.  Also, Nepenthes will tolerate some drying, but it's not good to let them dry out.

Good Growing!

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

I have a question about the humidity. I have a fan blowing across the opening to my terrarium to promote air circulation. This decreases the humidity dramatically (from about 70 percent without the fan to about 50 percent with) and I want to know if I should just ditch the fan to keep humidity up. Also, the fan also promotes cooling, because my terrarium can get pretty hot at times.  

Answer
Hi Mitch,

In regards to humidity, it really depends on the species of your Nepenthes, whether it is a Highland or a Lowland.  Highland species can tolerate lower humidity and cooler temperatures, while Lowland species like it hot and humid.

Now, with that said, given how you are growing your plants, I'd say keep the fan on.  Humidity is nice, but if air there isn't sufficient air circulation, your plants stand at risk for fungal infections, which can be very difficult to treat.

As long as the temperature in the terrarium is 75°F and higher, your Nepenthes will do just fine.  Remember, 50% humidity at this temperature actually has more water content than 50% at 65°F.  So, don't get too hung up on humidity.  Fifty percent is actually quite fine for the a lot of the Nepenthes grown in cultivation, especially during the summer months.  In fact, we have several Nepenthes growing around the house, outside of a terrarium, and they produce spectacular pitchers every summer.

Take a look at our growing info on Nepenthes:
http://www.cobraplant.com/nepenthes.com

Happy growing!
Jacob Farin

Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com