Question
Hi,

First of all--your guys are great, your site is great and your products are outstanding.

Now my question---I have been reading about fertilizing Nepenthes on the web and am getting all sorts of opinions---some say no, some say time release fertilizer---what is your opinion---if it is yes, what do you suggest?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Charley,

Part of the reason you see different opinions is that different methods and different fertilizers work.  Using orchid fertilizers applied either as a foliar spray or weak soil fertilizer works fine.  A teaspoon per gallon of water applied once a month during the winter and twice a month during the spring and summer is fine.

The best results I've seen with fertilization was at the Leilani Hapu'u Nepenthes Nursery.  The owner uses a seaweed based fertilizer used at manufactures dosage.  He has great results.  In garden circles seaweed fertilizers get rave reviews.  We haven't personally used this yet, so go easy if you give it a try.  Leilani grows their plants outside in Hawaii, so they get lots of rain.

We've also been experimenting with coffee.  Just pour cold brewed coffee in the soil.  Do it about once every six months.  We just started doing this and so far, the results look promising. Reports are that it helps correct mineral deficiencies.  This could also be why the seaweed fertilizers work so well since they supply lots of trace minerals.

Personally I've had the poorest results with time-release fertilizers such as Osmocote.

Bottom line, give coffee or seaweed fertilizers a try.  The big rule is just not to over-do it.  Over-fertilization usually won't kill a Nepenthes, but you'll get lots of big leaves and no pitchers.

Good Growing!

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