Question
QUESTION: I plan to hang a 4 foot grow light from my ceiling.  According to the seller, this lamp is considered lightweight and great for hanging, but no specific weight has been provided.  I also plan to hang a Nepenthes plant (with a hanging chain going from the ceiling on either side of the lamp so that the plant is directly beneath the light) in a 10 inch pot, using a 50-50 peat/perlite mix.  Do you think this is too heavy?

ANSWER: Hello Talisha,

It is according to how sturdy the ceiling is and how strong the chains and hooks are that you will be using. Most light sets sell chains with hooks built to hold the light and even additional weight. I would make sure that you place the hooks where there is a brace or beam in the ceiling so that it has plenty of strength to hold up the pot and all. As the Nepenthes grows it will become rather unweildy and heavy.

So far as the Peat and perlite, I would suggest using a mix of coconut husk, orchid bark, and peat in a 1/1/1 mix to provide extra drainage. If you do use perlite, make sure to repot every year as perlite can break down after that time. I hear that it can sicken Nepenthes if it breaks down and releases chemicals in the soil, so I avoid perlite with my Nepenthes. It can be used successfully, just replace it periodically and use a larger amount of perlite, like 1 part peat to 2 parts perlite to add drainage.

Christopher

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

QUESTION: Phooey!  I have no way of knowing where the beams are unless I rip my ceiling apart, and that's SO not happening!  I'll definitely use the husk/orchid bark/peat mix.  Thanks.

Rather than the ceiling, do you think installing a shelf on the wall will work for the plant?

Answer
Hello Talisha,

A shelf set is actually what I use. I set up shelves in front of my windows and mounted lights on each shelf. For your Nepenthes I would suggest a shelf set that would allow the plant to grow several feet tall with long chains on the light fixture so that as it gets taller you can simply move the chain up a link at a time. I have a N. sanguinea that is about 4 feet tall growing in a small south facing window with a light mounted above it on a shelf set up. I am presently getting ready to prune the plant by using air layering (notching the vine with a knife and using rooting hormone and a wad of Nepenthes mix on the notched areas) so I will have several live pre-rooted cuttings to take off the main vine and replant.

Shelves really are a convenient way to do this as you can set up smaller shelves to store your plant supplies and even add more plants on shelves of the right size for each species.

Christopher