Question

N. Miranda flower stal   This N. Miranda grew the long brown flower stalk several months ago. Recently this N. Miranda and another  N. Miranda have produced this smaller, shorter flower stalk. Can you tell me which flower stalk is male and female? I assume both sizes are needed at the same time to produce seeds. Thanks

Answer
Hi Robert,

Nepenthes plants are completely one sex or the other.  If a plant produces a male flower, the all the flowers that plant produces will be male.  As far as I know, most all the N. mirandas commonly sold are male since they are clones of each other.  Your older flower stalk does look male since I can see the yellow pollen in the anthers.  Here's a link to a good comparison photo:  http://www.exoticplantsplus.com/NFlowerPics.htm

To be able to cross-pollinate and get seeds, you'll need to find another plant (pretty much any Nepenthes species) that is in bloom, and female.  This makes Nepenthes very different from pitcher plants such as Sarracenia which have flowers with both male and female parts in the same flower.  With those you just need to have any two plants in bloom at the same time.  Not so with Nepenthes.  

If you do find a female plant, however, Nepenthes cross-pollinate and set seed very easily.

Good Growing!

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