Question

Monster Plant   QUESTION: Hi,

While I just placed my first order with you guys, I simply couldn't resist when I stumbled across this giant while I was at the nursery today.  In the past I have only had flytraps, but since I have been successful (though they pretty much care for themselves) I decided to try a pitcher plant.

When I purchased the plant, it was in an 8" hanging pot with very little soil, hanging at the top of a greenhouse.  The tag attached to the plant simply said "pitcher plant" and the staff couldn't tell me much more about it than that.  I did my best to follow your instructions for repotting and combined 1 part dried sphagnum moss and 1 part perlite.  I soaked the roots to try to remove the old moss, but was a little wimpy and left quite a bit on.  I think the plant must have grown in the car, because when I got home the 8" pot that they recommended suddenly began to look way too small.  Since I am new to this and not sure what this plant should look like, I have a few questions:

1. Does this sound like an acceptable soil mix and pot size for my mystery plant?

2. It seems that there are two vines growing in opposite directions and also some new growth.  Is it possible that there are two plants in there, or is this a common appearance?  Both vines tend to flop over, and if they were to stand straight, the leaves crowd each other.  Do they need to be divided or should I provide something for the plant to lean on?

3. Out of curiosity, is it possible to estimate a pitcher plants age based on size?

4. There are some damaged leaves, should I trim these off or leave them alone?

I have attached some pictures of my new plant and below is some information about it.

Plant Height: 1.5 feet
Leaves: 14 ?18 inches w/ red developing near the ends
Pitchers: None, but seems to be developing tendrils on all leaves
Location: Northern Virginia

Thank you!

Jessy


ANSWER: Hi Jessy,

The plant you have is likely Nepenthes Miranda.  It's a common hybrid that can get fairly large.  The soil mix you're using is appropriate.  As for pot size, keep it in the 8-inch pot.  Nepenthes roots are fairly short compared to other plants.  If the pot is too large, you risk root rot because of the increase moisture content in the soil.

With the damaged leaves, it's entirely up to you whether to keep them or to trim them off.  My rule of thumb is this, when you can't stand looking at a leaf, cut it off.

This plant also produces basal shoots very readily.  You can attempt to divide the plant only if roots are forming on the second vine.  If not, you should leave the plant alone.  

You can let the vine flop over the pot.  We allow our plants to do that, which means we have to hang them.  If you want the pot on the floor, then you can stake the vine.  Some growers do this, and it makes for a nice display.  Either method is acceptable.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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

QUESTION: Jacob,

Thank you so much for your quick reply!  Sorry if I seemed a bit overexcited in my post, it's just that I can never find CPs in my area, let alone a more adult plant :)

Last night when searching online, I discovered that I may have used the wrong kind of moss when repotting.  I used Canadian sphagnum peat moss that looks much finer than the long fiber sphagnum that I see in pictures.  Will this make a difference in the health of my plant?  Also, my plant seems to be perking up and turning red in it's sunny window, however, the leaves are starting to curl inward.  Is this something that I should be concerned about or is the plant just getting acclimated to its new surroundings?  Lastly, I have a saucer under my pot to prevent water from leaking on the floor when I water it, but it sounds like this is a big no-no.  If the excess water disappears within a few hours, is that okay?

Thanks again for all the wonderful info!

-Jessy

PS.  Very impressed you could identify the plant with no pitchers  I hope you抮e right, Mirandas are so beautiful!  Can抰 wait to get my DVD and plants today!


Answer
If you use peat moss, make sure the mix is 1 part peat moss and 2-3 parts perlite.  Peat moss retains a lot more moisture than dried sphagnum moss, so you'll need to improve the drainage with more perlite.

The red colors in the leaves are good signs.  The curling is a sign that your plant is acclimating to its new home.  It was probably in a greenhouse, so it needs some time to adjust to the slightly lower humidity in your home.

The water saucer is fine as long as the water evaporates after a day.  

Good growing!
Jacob Farin