Question

i think this is a vent   Hi I really need some help identifying this nepenthes plant.

I purchased this plant from a local nursery that had it inside a plastic cup to keep moisture in. Since then I have transplanted it from a 3 inch pot to a 6 inch pot with pure lfs.

The only infromation on the cup that it came in was that it is a nepenthes spp. ? and that it is a nepenthes hybrid? I guess it is ventricosa since those most common but the only thing is it has these wings on the front and little hair things on the lid that I have not seen on ventricosa.. The company selling them is called Gubler's Orchids.

Also, just one more thing about feeding. I have heard some people say that they give their nepenthes plants freeze dried bloodworm larvae, do you have any experience using them?

I recently fed some to the pitcher and I also fertilized it with some grow more orchid fertilizer.

I would really appreciate your help with telling me the type of nepenthes I hoping it will be an easy growing one that can do well with my environment here in Southern California. Also I would like to know how large the plant will become and how fast I can expect this growth.

thanks so much - Matt

Answer
Hi Matt,

First, the bad news.  When you have a plant this small, and considering how many hundreds of Nepenthes hybrids are out there, there is no way to make a 100% sure I.D.  A best guess is the best even the best Nepenthes grower can do.  Even when a plant is larger, it's hard since there are hybrids floating around out there that are of complex parentage, and many Nepenthes species look quite similar.

Now the good news.  This looks like a Nepenthes sanguinea, and is a very common plant in the mass market sold by Gublers and others.  Gubler's however, does sell various Nepenthes like this, so it's still hard to tell.  Several years ago I bought one under their brand and it turned out to be a very nice N. maxima hybrid.  Chances are this will be an easy grower, and when it's larger you'll be able to get a better idea of what it is.

As far as feeding bloodworms are fine, as is using the green Grow-More formula.  Just keep feeding/fertilizing light, especially for a young plant.  Focus more on your cultural conditions.  If your not giving your plant enough light, proper watering, correct temperatures, fertilizing/feeding will mean absolutely nothing, and could cause more harm than good.  The plant can't utilize the food if it's not getting enough energy from photosynthesis.

If this is a sanguinea it gets average sized for a Nepenthes; it can form long vines several feet long, and pitchers in about the 8" range.

Good Growing!

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