Question

Browning leaves   QUESTION: Dear Sarracenia northwest,
I have acquired a new nepenthes on Wednesday . I live in Cleveland Ohio, I put the nepenthes under a 18 watt compact fluorescent light in the day and I switch it to a red/blue 3 watt led light at night, I turn it off every day at 10 pm. However, the edge of the leaves turn brown and on another developing leaf, the tip of the shoot is a light brown color. Is this bad?
 
         Sincerely, John

ANSWER: Hi John,

The growing tip is out of focus, but they do have a dense fuzz that looks brown as new ones develop.  I can see a darkening on the leaf edges, but this may just be from your lights, and could easily be normal coloration.  Since you've only had your plant a short time, it's very common for they to go through a transition when moving to a new home, and going through shipping.  You need to give your plant a few weeks to adjust.  Is this N. truncata?

Why are you using two different lights?  Also, how far away is the CFL from the plant?

Good Growing!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It is a n. poi dog # 65 and I use 2 different lights because I simulate afternoon and evening. The light is about 14 inches away from the plant.

Answer
Hi John,

That's fine.  I was wondering if the CFL might be too close, but it doesn't sound like it is.  18 watt is also fairly small.  A CFL too close can cause some burning from larger units.

Good Growing!

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