Question
Nepenthes
QUESTION: Allexperts,
I got the nepenthes Mira a few months ago and its hasn't been producing pitchers. It has been producing new growth. Just not with any pictures. Would repotting the plant help in any way. Any suggestions. I have put a picture on the email hopefully you can see better.
Growing info.
Water= Distilled
Temp= 68-70degrees
Lights= 40 watts CFl tubes.
Sincerely,
Weyllin
ANSWER: Hi Weylin,
Nepenthes mira is very much a highlander. If possible make sure the plant gets a cool-down at night. If it can be below 60, that great, then up in the 70's during the day. If you're doing any misting stop, since it can contribute to pitchers not growing. If you're not doing it currently, try giving it weak fertilizer. The usual 1/4 strength orchid fertilizer every two weeks is great. Under the best of conditions this one is a slow grower, so it may just be a matter of patience.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Allexperts,
If I can't get the temperatures below 60 degrees is there any thing I can do? I don't know if there is relevant might I though might be helpful, I have N. Singalana growing around where this plant is growing , and it is growing quite well. Thank you for answering my questions.
Sincerely,
Weylin
AnswerHi Weylin,
N. singalana is a slightly easier grower than Mira. We have nice looking Singalanas without too much trouble in the greenhouse. N. mira is very similar to N. rajah in many respects (I understand they're related), so they are used to a narrow growing range of conditions.
You might try moving the Mira to a cool window with it's own light such as a fluorescent desk lamp. That way you could get a little warming by having the light close during the day, then at night when it's off it would be fairly cool. You may need to consider moving this one to a more humid environment too. A partial enclosure may help. It still has to be combined with bright light, however, or the extra humidity won't help.
How close is the plant to the light? Many of these high elevation plants are used to very bright conditions (high elevations have more intense light due to the thinner atmosphere). If your plant is too far away from the light this may be a factor. Long fluorescent tubes don't tend to be very hot, so you can get a little plant like that quite close.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
