Question

Plant  

Growth point   Hey guys
I decided to move my nepenthes alata x ventricosa out side because I felt like it was not receiveing enough light. It was located right of a southern window. Now the plant hangs from an old swing set underneath a maple, where it receives three hours of direct sun in the afternoon (3 to 6). The first few days the plant began to wilt, probably because it was not acclimated to that much sun. Then some leaves turned brown, aswell as the stem in which the pitchers grow. I was a little worried that something was up, until I noticed an insane amount of new growth points on the vines. However no pitchers seem to grow yet just new points. Yesterday I read one some website of a guy growing his nepenthes outside and for the first few months the plant will look like trash. Is this a correct statement or should I change up the growing style. By the way the plant gets disstiled water, 50-50 mix and occasionally gets 30-30-30 orchid fertilizer.
Thanks,
John

Answer
Hi John,

What you've read is correct.  The leaves often get a little burn, but the new ones will be darker, stronger, and more brightly colored.  Even plants like cacti and Sarracenia will experience this if they've been indoors since their leaves have not been in strong UV light, and these plants love full sun.

Just give it time, and you should see some great looking pitchers.  Just be sure to move it back indoors when nights start getting into the 40's.

Good Growing!

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