Question
I just yesterday aquired a nepenthes as a christmas gift from a friend I directed to your site as a suggestion. He got me a nepenthes--I believe it was one listed as an unknown hybrid. My worry is that he has had it in the little "terrarium pot" you shipped it in for near a month before giving it to me. Now I'm worried that I will shock it to death when I try to switch it over to being exposed to the open air of my house. I'm in mn, and even in my orchid room, where it will be, it is quite dry right now. Any suggestions on how to make sure it stays healthy and happy would be much appreciated! It looks healthy now, and id hate to kill my first nepenthes when I've waited so long to get one!
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Scott,

Oh dear, he turned the shipping container into a death cube.  Here's what I would do.

Take the plant to your orchid room and place it on a pebble tray if you have one in there.  If you have lights, even better.  Remove all of the packaging except, put the top back on when you're done.  Poke or cut some holes in the top, just a few to start.  Give it a week. (Make sure it's watered.)  The next week, put more holes in the top, and give it another week.  By week 3 you should be able to remove the top.

If you have the plant in amongst your orchids, the ambient humidity from them will help it.  Even with this, you may see some leave burn, but keep it bright, well-watered, and give it some time.  Avoid misting it, because this will interfere with the hardening off process.

Hope this helps.

Good Growing!

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