Question

rust spot?   hi my name is dominic and i have a nepenthes ventricosa and it has somthing on the leaves  a couple and i dont know what it is. all the pitchers died and i is growing a new one. i have been taking care of it by squirting it with a spray bottle which a plant guy told me to do. it is regular water from my filtered water and it is under a grow light. please help i live in washington and it is in my room.

Answer
Hi Dominic,

This kind of damage looks like the plant may have been exposed to too much cold at one time.  It looks like you have the plant in a humid environment under bright light, so at this point just observe the plant as it grows to see if the spotting starts to occur on new growth too, or is just limited to the older leaves.  If it's physical damage, like from cold, the plant will grow out of it with time and consistent growing conditions.  Here's more information on growing Nepenthes:  http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com/Articles.asp?ID=266

I would also take a magnifying lens and examine the undersides of the leaves to see if you notice any tiny long insects.  If you do, these are thrips, and you would need to spray for them.

Also, don't worry about misting your plant.  It is of little to no benefit, and can actually inhibit pitchering on Nepenthes.

Good Growing!

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