Question
QUESTION: I have a nepenthes ventricosa, three years old, which is growin fine, but no pitchers. The tendrils turn black and dry up when the leaf gets to a certain size. I put it outside June 1, at the same spot it grew fine for two years, hanging under a Japanese maple. In the winter, I had it in a south window where it grew, but no pitchers. I repotted it recently. I can't find the type of orchid fertilizer you recommend in this area. What else can I do?

ANSWER: There are many factors that affect pitcher development.  Lighting and soil hydration are the two most common causes.  You mentioned growing your plant outdoors under a tree and in a south window, but you didn't mention the quality of lighting, such as if it was partial sunlight, filtered sun, dappled sun or full shade.  The most I can say in regards to lighting is that this species requires partial sun or at least strong filtered light for proper pitcher development.  Even at our nursery in Oregon, we often don't see any pitchers on this species during the winter months.  We have to wait until mid to late spring for a new set of pitchers.

You didn't mention anything about watering, so I don't know if you're keeping the soil properly hydrated or not.  Dry soil will prevent proper pitcher development.  

You also mentioned that you repotted it, but you didn't indicate the soil media that you used.  Without knowing the specifics, I can't comment if your soil was appropriate for proper pitcher development.  In any case, you generally have to wait about 2-3 months for new pitchers after a repotting, depending on how extensive the roots were disturbed.

I'm also a bit unclear if you had the plant for three years and it had no pitchers during the entire time, or if you had the plant for three years and only this year it produced no pitchers.  This bit of information might indicate if the issue is more systemic or simply temporary.  

While orchid fertilizer will give your plant a boost, it's not a substitute for proper lighting, soil and water.  Since I don't know how well these factors are being addressed, I'm reluctant in recommending using fertilizers.  However, if you choose to use it, any orchid fertilizer will be OK.  Just follow the dosage as recommended in Volume 3 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series.

If you need further assistance, write back as a follow-up and include more specifics on the situation.  Again there are many factors that affect pitcher development.  It could be one single issue or a combination of issues.  

Good growing!
Jacob Farin


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

QUESTION: Its been in the same spot the last two years and the pitchers were fine. After I took it in in the fall, the pitchers all dried up and I cut them off. Its growing fine, but no pitchers. I'd say the sunlight is between filtered and dappled.There are two very large oak trees above the maple. Its growing in the mixture you recommend, peat, perlite and sand. It receives normal rainfall and I check the soil and water it when it hasn't rained for a while. This year, we've had ample rainfall.

Answer
Hi Craig,

You might try repositioning your plant so it gets more sun.  I got my best growth out of a couple of Nepenthes one year by having them in a spot that got about an hour or two of direct sun early in the morning, then dappled light the rest of the day.  Trees grow over time, and you may have a bit less light in that spot than before.  Also try to make sure the soil is staying moist. Under a tree it can be deceiving how much water is actually getting into the pot from rain.  I've definitely had pots under trees of various plants thinking they were well watered because it was raining only to find the soil fairly dry.  Like Jacob said, the fertilizer will give it a boost, but more light will be vital.

Good Growing!

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