Question
Hi! I've just sowed some nepenthes seeds in a seed tray, with a cover on top and a water tray underneath. I put the seed tray outside to receive weak sunlight (about 40% or so, 'cause I heard that nepenthes seeds need sunlight to germinate. So is there anything wrong with this set-up, is it to wet??

Answer
Hi Tan,

The only issue is the tray cover.  I prefer not to use covers when I'm germinating seeds because the constant high humidity will inadvertently promote mold and fungus, which will quickly kill your seeds and/or seedlings.  If you're keeping your seeds outdoors, you should also avoid any direct sunlight on the tray cover.  If the tray receives any direct sunlight, the seeds will bake and fail to germinate.  So I'd recommend not using a tray cover.  

Seeds also don't need sunlight to germinate.  This is a myth.  For proper germination, seeds need water and warm (not hot) temperatures (70?80癋).  When the seeds germinate, then you'll need to supply the appropriate lighting for your seedlings.  

Visit this link for more information about germinating Nepenthes seeds:
http://www.cpjungle.com/nuseeds.htm

It's not our website, but the guy grows lots of Nepenthes and shares our philosophy that Nepenthes don't need constant high humidity.  

Good growing!
Jacob Farin