QuestionNepenthes, very healthy in green areas, the plant has seven large pods. Five of the pods have developed a brown area at the top 1 to 2 inches long. These areas appear to be dehydrated. I am very aware of the watering process and each pod has water stored inside. I mist them every other day. Is this a normal process for this type of plant? How may I stop this? Thank you very much.
ted phillips
AnswerHi Ted,
It sounds like you just acquired a new Nepenthes and it is going through a typical transition period. It's very common for a Nepenthes to drop pitchers when moved to a new environment. When pitchers (they're not pods; pods are seed structures) die on a Nepenthes they always start from the top and slowly work down the pitcher. When you're tired of looking at them, just cut them off. Leave the leaf intact. Give your plant a couple months and you should see some new ones beginning to grow on new leaves. The most important growing factor with Nepenthes making new pitchers is light.
Here's some helpful hints with Nepenthes. Locate your plant in a sunny window, usually a west or south window. It should get direct sun for part of the day when the sun is out. Keep the soil moist, but don't allow the pot to sit in water. Avoid misting. Misting is a old myth with houseplants that does little to no good, and may even inhibit pitcher production in Nepenthes. It's fine if you want to clean of leaves once in awhile, but avoid frequent misting. Once you have a spot for your plant, leave it there. Don't move it around; plants hate that. Finally be patient and give it time. It takes them awhile to adapt to a location.
For more information on growing Nepenthes visit our caresheet pages at: http://www.cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=32 Also consider our volume #3 DVD. It can help you avoid many of the pitfalls so common to new growers. http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38&products_id=257
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
