Question
Nep. Sib.
Hello-
I have a nepenthes sibuyanensis I was looking to repot it due to the soil starting do sink and it seems as time goes by the lower half of the plant is getting to look as though it is dieing off. I was wondering if I should cut the dead looking part off and repot it with the more lively looking part? I read that you can use a rooting powder if you cut it. It does have pitchers growing at this time but as you can see there is one pitcher starting but is already turning brown at the vine coming from the pitcher and going toward the leaf. Is it ok to leave it this way and repot with the dead looking half into the soil or do I have to cut it down. Sorry about the picture being a blur but this was the best I could get it.
AnswerHi Brad,
If you repot, you can definitely put the stem lower into the soil. I don't recommend taking any cuttings just yet. Your plant isn't all that big.
You didn't really mention anything about your growing conditions, but from the appearance of the leaves it looks like your plant is getting plenty of light. Make sure you're keeping the soil moist. After you transplant, give your plant a weak orchid fertilizer about once a month. Mix it at 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water. You may want to try and increase the ambient humidity some also. You can do that with a pebble tray, and by placing other houseplants around your Nepenthes. The transpiration of other houseplants will help create a better microclimate around the plant. All of this will help it to pitcher more.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
