Question
My Nepenthes ramispina I purchased from you three weeks ago is not producing pitchers.  I keep it in an aquariam with a florecent t-5 grow light resting on the top of the almost covered lid to keep the humidity high. It will grow new leaves but produces only very small, unopened pitchers.  What am I doing wrong?

Answer
Hi Elizabeth,

This is not at all unusual.  Nepenthes often go through a transition period after shipping, and it take them some time to adjust to new conditions.  Three weeks in the world of Nepenthes isn't very long at all.  In addition, N. ramispina is not a fast grower.  The first one I had took six months to produce its first set of pitchers.  Overall, Nepenthes are not plants for the impatient gardener.  Just give it time.

I also wonder about temperatures in your aquarium.  T-5's are pretty warm.  For N. ramispina, the temperatures should be around 80 during the day, and 60's at night.  It definitely likes cool nighttime temperatures.

To comment further, I would need to know more about you're caring for the plant.  A picture always helps too.

Good Growing!

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