Question
Nepenthes Clipeata x (
I have a nepenthes cipeata x (clipeata x eymae) that I got from you in October. I'm growing it in a south window and without cold nights. It is in a mix of peat, perlite, and sphagnum. I only use distilled water to water it and live in Oklahoma. Ever since I got it, it hasn't made a leaf that hasn't turned brown on the edges and died as it unfurled. The pitchers would die before they formed. What is wrong? Thank you for any help you can give.
AnswerThank you for submitting the photo. This helps a lot. The plant is an intermediate plant, which means it's not as cold tolerant as a highland plant. Your plant is showing damage that's quite common with cold temperatures. You mentioned that the nights aren't cold, but being in Oklahoma, the idea of cold can be very relative. For this plant the nighttime temperature should be above 60癋. Day temperatures should be above 70癋. Anything below 60癋 is considered cold for this plant.
Sometimes temperatures can be very cold right next to the window, usually the first few inches. Ideally you want the plant near the window where it can get lots of sunlight, but at a safe distance from the cold. So you may need to take the temperature near your window to determine if it's too cold for the plant. If so, you may need to remove the plant from the window and use artificial lights instead.
For more information about growing Nepenthes and using artificial lights, read our care sheet online or watch Volume 3 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series.
On another note, you may want to consider getting highland Nepenthes. These plants are more tolerant of nighttime temperatures below 60癋.
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
