Question
Hi, i now belive i know what a nepenthes seedling looks like!!!, i have n. albomarginata, n. viking, and n. mirabilis, seedlings all germinating, and if im correct there first set of leaves look like any normal plant seedling would look like and then from those the secound or true leaves are the leaves that will have the pitchers.  As i thought earlier i have some odd leaves in there that i thought were nepenthes seedlings but they dont seed to look anything like what im seeing now, they are a single green, almost transparent leaf that looks like a dandelion but hasn't changed size in over 2-3weeks...it looked like it had roots but for all i know, they could just be leaves that somehow fell in there, lol.  Anyway, my question is when should i transplant the seedlings and is there any special medium for these seedlings?  right now they are in a large tank full of live sphagnum moss, but the moss is slowly taking over so i would like to try to get them into there own potting mix.  and is there any special care needed for these seedlings? they are growing in that tank where humidity is at least 75% or more, light for 10+ hrs a day, and they are constintly moist, and there is a heat matt under the tank.  im just really excited these are my very first nepenthes seedlings, and on some of them i can see them starting there first pitchers

thanks for your help,

dustin

Answer
Hi Dustin,

If the live sphagnum is overtaking the plants you should probably transplant soon.  You can use a variety of mediums for the plantlets.  Coconut fiber works fine as long as you wash it some to remove any residual salt.  You can also use a peat mix such as equal parts peat moss, to perlite, to vermiculite.  Dried long fiber sphagnum also works well, as well as ground sphagnum.  Just try to not disturb their little roots any more than is necessary.

After you transplant, spray with a fungicide.  Your conditions sound good for raising seedlings.


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com