Expert: Christopher Littrell - 11/14/2007

Question
Does this soil mix sound good for my nepenthes rajah?  A bottom inch of perlite, a thin layer of charcoal (for the smell and to clean impurities in the water), then Long-fibered sphagnum moss to keep the soil from falling into the drainage layer, then the usual Nepenthes mix (coconut fiber, bark, and coconut bark) then a top dressing of more long-fibered sphagnum moss.  Would my N. rajah do well in this mix.  (I'm putting this mix in my highland terrarium).

Answer
Hello Jake,

You could just pot the Nepenthes in a regular pot of Nepenthes mix, place it in the terrarium, and set the pot on a raised platform to keep it from standing in water. Pour some water in the bottom 1/4 inch of the terrarium and you will have your humidity set.

If you really want to go with no pot, just a terrium full of Nepenthes mix, then the mix you indicated should be great. 1/3 each of coconut fiber, peat moss, and orchid bark of at least 5-6 inches depth with an inche or two of pelite and activated charcoal in the bottom should be fine. You can add a top dressing of long fiber sphagnum to hold in water.

Make sure not to overwater and check the root depth of the Nepenthes each year to ensure it does not need more root space to keep it out of the drainage layer. You will also want to replace the entire soi mix, perlite and all, yearly to keep it from souring and sickening your plants, particularly in a terrarium.

The mix sounds like a winner, but the main issue with a terrarium would be root rot. If you have other Nepenthes in that mix with a terrium set up and no signs of root rot from waterlogging, you've got yourself a good setup.

Keep up the good work.

Christopher