Question
N. miranda leaf
Hi,
I am a new customer to your website having purchased the e-book and recently some CP's. I also hold Peter D'Amato's book. I currently have a growing collection of CP's and am noticing my 2 Nepenthes mirandas have possibly picked up some sort of infestation. Did some research on treatment through The Savage Garden and ended up picking up Malation and Captan products from Bonide Co. and created a spray bottle containing both products. Been using it nightly on my first Nepenthes (moved it to a new location), but I am not sure if I've corrected the problem. Do the marks on the leaves go away or just stop progressively getting worse? Last week I purchased another N. miranda, placed it where my first N. miranda used to be and I am noticing the same red marks on the leaves. I'm thinking I've either incorrectly mixed the Malathion solution or I should just go systemic. Bonides system insect control is next, it contains 9% acephate - just have to make sure its water based when I go to pick it up. Take a look at the picture i've attached. I was told by Peter D'Amato that I have mites.... Any feedback, comments, help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
P.S. Location of the plants are pretty much in full sun. Is this why I am noticing some of the leaves turning red or is that due to something else?
AnswerHi Greg,
The red is normal coloration for Nepenthes x miranda when grown in strong light. It's a hybrid of N. maxima and N. northiana. Nepenthes maxima has red leaves. Unless your are physically seeing insects on the plant or little webs made by spider mites, you don't need to spray. All of our Mirandas have reddish leaves in the greenhouse, and we have one outside under a tree. It has dark red leaves and is growing very nicely. Your plant looks fine, and this coloration is normal.
On a different subject, you may want to position your plant with some partial shade if it doesn't have it already. The nursery that produces these plants grows them fairly shady, so you can develop some leaf burn if you have them in the type of direct sun you would grow Sarracenia. Visit: http://growcarnivorousplants.com/monthly-care/ to see how we have some Nepenthes outdoors for the summer, and you can see the color of our N. x miranda.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
