Question

Nepenthes sprouts   Hello Nathan here again your advice was very helpful i kept the plant hanging there at the sunniest window. it has grown big due to the praying mantis i fed it. I also saw that it has started new sprouts as well if you can see the new developing light green leaves and small pitchers in the middle of the pot. I know i have to transplant it some time my question is not how to transplant but are the new sprouting stems actually attached to the older stems or are they separate? Is it separable and is it a good idea to separate the new developing stems when transplanting?

Answer
Hi Derick,

Nepenthes are stem forming vines as opposed to something like Sarracenia which form rhizomes.  Rhizomes can be divided since each crown tends to have a root system developing on the leading edge of the growth.  This is not the case with Nepenthes.  New shoots often develop off of the main stems, even underground sometimes.  This gives the illusion that they are separate plants, but they usually are not.  If you separate them you need to treat them as a cutting and need to go through the rooting process.

Good Growing!

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