Question
Hey, i had another question about my nep cuttings, and one about there potting mix.  Ok, i had the...

n.alata x maxima
n.effulugent koto
n.copelandii

Ok, today i looked at my plants again, and on the n. alata x maxima i noticed the stem's skin seems to be peeling off the from the bottom up, and the base seems to be swelling, is this a sign of a good cutting? is it something bad?  the cutting is still green.  this is my first time with nep cuttings, so i have'nt experienced the steps in how a nep cutting will root and so on.  i have recieved rooted and growing cuttings just this is my first time with straight cuttings.

Nothing has changed much with the other two, the n. copelandii cutting is still not looking that great(suspecting its not going to make it) and the effulugent koto still looks the same it was just that change in the n. alata x maxima.

As for the potting mix, i was going to create my own mix using orchid bark:Peat:in then possibly the extra layer of live sphagnum on top if i have enough.  do i have to do anything with the orchid bark?  would you reccomend rinsing it before i use it?  Or would you just reccomend i use the basic peat:perlite mix if im going to have the top half of the pot just being Live sphagnum?  Lastly, just though of another Q.  What do you think of the net or mesh pots?  if i was to just use Live sphagnum?  i would fear that repotting would become a problem because the neps roots would wrap around the net or mesh.  thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Dustin,

That swelling at the cutting is a very good sign.  Roots form from the stem's cambium and shoot out from the little openings.

Your potting mix will be fine.  You don't need to do much to it.  Nepenthes are not real fussy about their soil.  It just needs to have good drainage, hold moisture, and not be too rich.  The sphagnum moss on top is good for holding moisture.  You could also use sphagnum and bark for the media also, and it would work well too.  Live sphagnum does make a nice top dressing.  You just have to be very diligent about watering to keep it alive.  

I'm a bit mixed on my opinion of the mesh pots.  They work, but soil does dry out faster.  They can be good if the plants are on a misting system in a greenhouse, or if they are watered very frequently.  I wouldn't recommend them for a plant in the house since they would dry out too fast.  Live sphagnum in one would look great, but again watering would need to be very consistent.  Your concern about the roots is a valid one.  They would eventually grow out through the mesh.  I've planted Darlingtonia in these in the past, and they start sending stolons through the mesh.

Good Growing!

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