Question
flea market DeRoosa Al
I believe I have a Nepenthes 'DeRoose Alata' which I purchased from a flea market, when I got it home I found out that the soil was completely dry and most of the pictures were dead. I have re-potted it in a mixture of peat moss, perlite and compost and keeping the soil moist. I live in Jacksonville Florida and now have it outside where it gets full morning sun and filtered sunlight in the afternoon. What else can I do to ensure a healthy happy carnivorous plant that will produce more pictures?
AnswerHi Kim,
Fortunately, this plant adapts to a wide range of growing conditions and grows very fast. You're definitely on the right track. The only change I'd make is your soil. Ideally, the soil mix should be free of nutrients, including compost. You can use a variety of soil mixes for Nepenthes, and a good general mix is 1 part peat moss and 2 parts perlite. For additional soil recipes, read our care sheets online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets
I also recommend watching our upcoming DVD, Grow Carnivorous Plants Volume 3. In that volume we discuss Nepenthes and present at least four different soil mixes. We're releasing the DVD May 17.
Give your plant about 2 months before you see new pitchers.
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
