Question
1. Nepenthes khasiana or something similar...i just bought it and its still small and havent needed to re-pot it yet. i change the lighting from a window to HPS light on 12 hours to a fluorescent light on more...im experimenting and seeing what it likes best.it is a tropical pitcher plant i know that. ive watered it once and have had it not even two weeks. OKAY MY QUESTION IS- is there a way to stimulate growth ? if i put it in an area with more insects or hand feed insects, how much is TOO MUCH? i know one per month is about normal, but if you think about the wild. if it is in an area where there are lots of mosquitos etc. and they go for a drink often .. the plant has a lot of food. does it eat it all at once or saves it cause it knows it has a lot? i know not to feed it fertilizers. but is there better lights to use to help it get more energy or what not to grow faster...also, i know a bigger pot will let the plant grow more..and in a way faster but yea... so how can i try and have my plant grow faster and happier ?

Answer
Hi Andre,

Nepenthes khasiana is an intermediate plant that will tolerate both highland and lowland conditions.  There's a few things that you can do to speed up the plant, but you'll need to be very careful not to over do it.  

Your lighting seems adequate, but I'll increase the daylight hours to 14 hours per day.  When the lighting is adjusted, make sure the plant is experiencing daytime temperatures of 70?80癋.  It's not necessary to make it higher than 80癋.  The magic temperature for most Nepenthes seems to be 75癋.

Also make sure that the soil is properly aerated for optimal root growth and always moist.  Avoid keeping the soil waterlogged or too dry.

When and only when you have addressed lighting, temperature and soil, consider spraying your Nepenthes with a weak solution of orchid or seaweed fertilizer.  Use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water, and spritz your plant with this solution weekly.  You can also spray it into the pitchers, but also make sure the leaves are well coated.  You won't need to worry about the solution getting into the soil.  If you're regularly top watering your plant, the excess will get washed out.

This type of fertilizing regimen will assist your plant, but it'll only work only if you the lighting, temperature and soil are adequate.  Also don't expect extremely dramatic results.  Nepenthes in general grow very slowly when you compare them to other types of tropical plants, so you'll still need a dose of patience.  In any case, you should see a difference in growth within 3 months.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin
http://www.cobraplat.com