Question
RB Pitcher Plant
Hi,
3 days ago I found a plant at my local nursery simply marked Carniveous Pitcher Plant. I took it home and re-potted it as I would any other plant using potting soil in a coconut lined basket. Looking for more plants on the internet I found your site that stated potting soil would kill the plant. What should I do to save the plant or have I already doomed it? Thanks!
AnswerHi Rachael,
Even though this is very true for American pitcher plants such as Sarracenia, it's not always the case with Nepenthes. Nepenthes and Sarracenia are very, very different plants. Nepenthes don't mind a little fertilizer in their soil, and since you have this in a hanging basket, it will make it easy to water it. If you just make sure that you flood irrigate the plant when you water it to wash out some excess fertilizer, it should be fine.
What you may see initially is a big spike in vegetative growth with few pitchers. When the plant uses up the available fertilizer, they will begin making big pitchers again. If you had cheap potting soil, it may be low in nutrients anyway.
On a side note, the plant you have here is called Nepenthes x "Miranda". They are stunning, and grow to be very big. They are also tropical, so be sure to bring it in during the winter. For complete information on growing Tropical Pitcher Plants, see our DVD, "Grow Carnivorous Plants" volume 3. http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38&products_id=257
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
