Question
QUESTION: Hi I currently raise a Nepenthes Ventricosa and it's been doing fine. Until yesterday it was very green without any signs of damage. I left it on my desk overnight and in the morning almost all of its leaves turned brown! Even the newer growth at the top was effected, with little spots of green left. I had to remove two of its pitchers because they apparently had shriveled up overnight. I live in Zone 5 and lately it has been very cold. Could the temperature be the problem? Or is it just dormancy effecting my plant? Please help me find what the problem is. Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Tony,

Since Nepenthes have no dormancy being a tropical plant, it sounds like your plant froze.  If the change was that sudden, it was cold that made it turn brown.  Nepenthes ventricosa shouldn't be below 50 degrees.  I've had ours tolerate briefs dips into the 40's, but damage occurs in the 30's.  Was the plant left in a room that can get that cold?  If you cut the top off the plant off it may reshoot from the stem, but it doesn't sound good.  Send me a photo and I can help you make a better assessment.

Good Growing!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Nepenthes Ventricosa B   QUESTION: Thank you for your reply. Ive attached the picture you requested. Is there any way to help my plant recover? It had some very nice pitchers until i had to cut them off from drying up. Again, thank you for your help.

ANSWER: Hi Tony,

Since there is so much leaf damage the prognosis isn't good.  The best thing you can do is cut the plant off at the stem.  Try to leave some of the above ground exposed stem.  Keep it bright and warm.  You may see new shoots develop.  If it didn't get too cold the roots and stem may not have froze.  Give your plant about two months.  If after that you see nothing, say some final words. :(

Good Growing!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your reply. When you said to cut the plant off at the stem, do you mean to cut the whole leafy part off leaving only the roots in the ground or to cut off only the top of the plant?

Answer
Hi Tony,

Yes, cut off the whole top.  It's already dead or on its way out.  Try to leave a little length of exposed stem.  Just above the bottom two dead leaves should be just right.  You want to leave some dormant nodes exposed to light to encourage them to develop new shoots.

Good Growing!

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