Question
The Fallen Picther
Hi, overnight one of my Nepenthes Miranda picher fell over (look at the picture)so I'm wondering why. I right now live in Ohau, and for the past days we had very windy weather. I usally let my Miranda stay in full morning or afternoon sunlight untill it get too intense that I move it to a shadier stop.I spray distilled water to the soil and leaves 2-3 times a day or when it looks dry. I'm not sure what kind of soil Home Depot was using but I think it may be a mixture of perlite and orhid bark
Answer
Nepenthes x Miranda
Hi Victor,
Thanks for sending the photo; that always helps.
This isn't anything to worry about. It probably just had a little damage from transport, and the wind. You may loose this one, but no worries, more will grow.
For your overall care, choose one location, and leave it there. The eastern exposure is probably best. Plants hate being moved around, and it might be a factor in your pitcher wilting. Water it heavy when it feels dryish on the soil surface. Depending on how much rain you're getting, every other day or so should be fine. Nepenthes miranda likes it fairly sunny; the leaves will take on a nice red color. Don't worry about misting the leaves, you're in Hawaii, it's plenty humid. If you need to transplant, use a mix of long-fiber sphagnum moss and orchid bark or perlite.
If your particular exposure seems a little too harsh, try using a small piece of shade cloth. Most Nepenthes growers in the Islands use a light shade cloth similar to many orchid growers. I've enclosed a picture of a N. x miranda grown in Aina Haina, down near Hawaii Kai. It was watered once a day, and had 50% shade cloth over it. It was right along side several Cattleya orchids.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
