Question
Ive had my nepenthes ventricosa for about 4 days now. It finally started to form and make pitchers. but the pitchers seem to be a lot smaller than they should be for the size of the plant. Should I consider coffee fertilizer yet? Or is the plant to new and should have some time to adjust?

Answer
Hi Adian,

The place we need to start is that 4 days is the life of a Nepenthes pitcher plant is like one minute to us.  It's not long enough to access much of anything except if the plant needs to be watered or not.  These are definitely not plants for impatient gardeners.  Typically under good growing conditions the time from when a tendril starts to elongate to open pitcher is usually a month.

Right now just make sure your growing conditions are good.  Here's basic information:  http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com/Articles.asp?ID=266  If your plant has any open pitchers pop a small bug into one.  That's the best fertilizer.  There's information on the care sheet page on fertilization.  We've tested coffee a few different times now, and have not found it to be of any exception benefit.  It won't harm them, but is not superior to standard fertilization or feeding.

Good Growing!

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