Question
Hello,
I purchased a young mystery Nepenthes Ventricosa hybrid from Sarracenia Northwest last week and my housekeeper got to it before I could give her instructions. To my horror, she doused it with Los Angeles tap water. Our water is very hard (200+ ppm) and fairly chlorinated. Later I watered the plant with distilled water in an attempt to flush out the tap water.

Did I do the right thing? Will my plant be ok? I'm a first timer and I've been a bit obsessed with the plant's well being.

Answer
Hi Lester,

No need to panic.  Nepenthes are the most tolerant of hard water of any carnivorous plants.  Here at the nursery our well water is around 120ppm and we use it sometimes during the summer when it's hot and we have to conserve our R.O. water for more sensitive plants.

Flushing with the distilled water is good, but in a pinch, your tap water probably won't hurt it.  Drying out and wilting would.

Good Growing!

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