QuestionQUESTION: I have a Nepenthes Sanguinea plant that is starting to go into the vine stage. Pretty soon its gonna be to large for the place I have it. I was wondering if there is a way to encourage the plant to produce basal shoots so when the vine gets too large I can cut it back.
ANSWER: Hi Garrett,
Cutting a stem off will cause the plant to activate dormant nodes at leaf margins. Basal shoots seem to form when the plant gets a vine leaning over the edge of a plant, but cutting it back will encourage them. You can also root your cuttings when you remove the long parts of the plant. Nepenthes sanguinea is very easy to root, and will produce new shoots readily. We have a chapter on propagation of Nepenthes in our volume #3 DVD: http://www.cobraplant.com/dvd/volume3
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
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QUESTION: So if I were to cut the plant back to encourage basal shoots, how far should it be to prevent ill effects on the plant as a whole? Is this guaranteed to result in basal shoots? Also for beginners with cuttings, which method in Grow Carnivorous Plants video three would you suggest I use. I know the growing in water method takes a very long time, but I'm not sure if any garden stores in my area have rooting hormones for the more advanced methods.
AnswerHi Garrett,
Unfortunately, there is no "one right way" or "bomb-proof" way to do this. I will usually look at a plant and try to imagine what the new growth will look like as the dormant nodes sprout. A node will start to grow right below where you cut. You want your plant to have a bushy appearance again. You just need to leave several healthy leaves, and not cut it too close to the ground. There's no way I know of to guarantee basal shoot formation.
Placing cuttings in sphagnum moss with a cover is the most common way to strike cuttings. If you can place the cuttings under fluorescent lights you will get the fastest strike. One change from the video, don't cut the leaves in half. Also, you will need to harden off cuttings once they strike before you totally remove any kind of cover. You may not be able to find liquid rooting hormone, but almost any garden center carries powdered rooting hormone. Rootone is the most common brand. If you have any hydroponic stores in the area, they have all kinds of rooting hormones.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
