Question

insect ?   QUESTION: Hi Jeff and Jacob

I just noticed what appears to be an insect problem on my Nepenthes belli X truncata. There are many little white grains on the plant, in particular at the nodes. I was hoping you could confirm that this is a problem and suggest a treatment

Thanks
Nicole
90 miles north of NYC

ANSWER: Hi Nicole,

These are those dreaded little scale insects the are the most common pest on Nepenthes.  You'll need to treat with a systemic insecticide.  Bayer Rose and Flower, or Bayer 3 in 1 work well for these little monsters.  You may need to spray any plants, carnivorous or otherwise, that were in the vicinity to this plant.  They don't tend to attack sundews or other small plants, but larger stem-forming plants.

Good Growing!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jeff

Thanks for the response, The Bayer Rose and Flower now comes with fertilizer added .. is this still OK for my Nepenthes ? I haven't been able to find the Bayer 3 in 1 yet.

Thanks
Nicole

Answer
Hi Nicole,

Hmmm... I sure wish they stop messing around with their formulas!  Nepenthes will tolerate fertilizer, so the Rose and Flower formula will be OK as long as you only use it on your Nepenthes and no other carnivorous plants.  It's also a one time application (hopefully!), so your plant will be fine.  If you're concerned about the excess fertilizer, especially if you already fertilizer your Nepenthes, you can flood the soil with distilled water.  Wait at least an hour after spraying before you do that.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin