Question
QUESTION: Hi every one, well my N. Ampullaria is not looking ok and I don't know what to do, maybe I'm just freaking out and the situation is not as bad as I think but I never before have trouble with this one... two or three days ago I see some change on my ampullaria, the newest leave was growing normal as always, but now its turning brown, no soft and nastier looking black, it's just looking like "burn" or dry =(, the basals are looking ok and all the pitchers are 100% fine, its just only the tip of the main vine that looks bad.

I have it inside of the greenhouse with my other nepenthes and only this and my N. Bicalarata are the ones that is looking sad (the bical have some leaves turning black...) I have a Rafflesiana, albomarginata, and 2 N. Sanguinea and all looks like nothing is happening.

Do you think they are suffering from the temperature going down maybe too much on the nights (it hit the lower 50's on a couple of days)?

ANSWER: Hi Fernando,

Absolutely.  Because both the N. bicalcurata and ampullaria are having problems, it's certainly the temperature.  They are true rainforest plants, and don't like it much below about 65-70 degrees F.  If you can keep them above 70 even better.  Your other plants are not as delicate as those two when it comes to cold.  See if you can rig up a little mini hot-house just for them.  That way you don't have to heat the entire greenhouse to those temperatures.  

Our greenhouse if definitely a intermediate to highland house, and we don't do well with those two species because of the cool nights.

Good Growing!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Jeff for the fast answer... the last year the winter was bad but I have a small electric heater on the greenhouse, and I make the mistake to don't bring the heater on the new one because is not as cold as the last year, now I regret that really bad and I'm going to start using it now.

By the way... I know the "RUST" on the leaves are the result of some kind of mold, how bad is this for the plant and what I need to do to get rid of?

Answer
Hi Fernando,

We've found that some Nepenthes just tend to get this, and some don't.  Nepenthes rafflesiana always seems to have this appearance, yet grows with gusto.  If you see visible mold on leaves, treat with a fungicide.  Otherwise, unless you see noticeable damage (not just redness) I wouldn't be too concerned.

Good Growing!

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