Question

The sick Nepenthes  

The setup   I recently got a N. (Spectibilis x Ventricosa) x Aristolochiodes from the
December open house. It is now showing signs of stress and it looks like it's declining fast, accelerating over the past week. The lower leaves are turning yellow and then black, it takes about three days for the entire leaves to go turn yellow then black. All the pitchers that are on it are dried out but still colored. The new growth tip is very soft and extremely flexible.

I have it/them (my other nepenthes sitting under a 24w (100w equivalent) 6500k cfl. The lights are on for 12 hours. I also have a fan that goes on every other 30 minutes for 30 minutes at a low setting. The temperature in the room ranges from 50 - 60, I don't heat the room up.

Might this be a sign of a waterlogged plant? Might it be travel stress? What should I do?

I have 9 other nepenthes next to each other and they are all thriving so I don't think this is 100% environmental.

Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi Nanthawat,

Thank-you for sending the photos.  That really helps.

Looking at the plant it's hard to say which direction it will go.  It has been through lots of transitions over the last month.  Die off of lower leaves doesn't concern me that much since the top of the plant looks good.  N. ventricosa and N. aristolochiodes tend to form long, viney stems, so that can develop a long brown stem with the end growing.

What I would do is just watch it for now.  It would be good if you could get the daytime temperature up more around 70-75.  60 degrees is a bit cool.  The night temperatures are fine.  If the progression continues and you get newer growth dying, then contact us about replacement within the 30 day policy.

Good Growing!

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