Question
QUESTION: Hi I've had my N.Glabrata for about 7 weeks now and since then its made about 5 leaves but no pitchers yet.  The leaves are also starting to get smaller and smaller.  The conditions are 85-80 in the day and 70-66 at night with 50-60% daytime humidity and 80-90% humidity in the day.  What do you think could be wrong with it?

P.S. Here's what the last leave it's made looks like
[IMG]http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm173/elsantaclause/P8230049.jpg[/IMG]
Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Chris,

With highland Nepenthes in general, you'll need a certain degree of patience.  Nepenthes glabrata grows fairly slowly, so don't expect dramatic results any time soon.  It can take several months for this species to acclimate to its new home.  I've had a Nepenthes talangensis that took 6 months before it decided to send up a new pitcher for me.

To help your plant along, find ways to lower the nighttime temperature.  Nepenthes glabrata is a true highlander, and it'll appreciate nighttime temperatures of 45?65癋.  While it can tolerate high daytime temperatures, it's really important to bring the temperature down at night to prevent the plant from exhausting itself.

This may account for the smaller leaves.  However, this isn't always the case.  Smaller leaves could also be a good sign in that your plant is adjusting to higher light intensity and/or lower humidity.  If the leaves are smaller and soft with less than vibrant color, then it could be experiencing heat exhaustion.  If the leaves are smaller, firm and vibrant, then it's adapting to higher light intensity and/or lower humidity.

Another thing is to make sure the plant is getting lots of lighting.  You didn't mention anything about lighting,  and this is where growers often make their mistake.  They fret over humidity and temperature, but give very poor attention to lighting.  So I'm not sure if you're using artificial lights or sunlight, or if you're growing your plant in a terrarium or on a windowsill.  Lack of proper light intensity will also affect pitcher development.

In any case, I'm going to refer you to our care sheet online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

It has information about proper lighting.  Try to get as close to the recommendations as possible.  Just keep in mind that you won't see any dramatic results any time soon.  Patience is definitely the operative word when growing this and similar highland species.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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

QUESTION: Its getting plenty of light: shaded morning sun along with 2 32w fluoro bulbs.  The leaves started getting smaller after I added the lights and they started to get a little lighter on some parts of the leaves.  It is still firm and is mostly green though.  It is also slightly curled up.

Answer
Thank you for the additional information.  It's likely that the shorter leaves are in response to the increase in light intensity.  If you look closely on the new leaves, they should appear shinier than the older leaves.  When a Nepenthes grows in brighter light, it also produces a waxy coating on the leaves to further protect it from light damage. All of this is appropriate.

The only things would be to be patient, keep the soil moist at all time and find a way to get the temperature down at night.  You didn't indicate where you live, so I can't comment on your climate.  In any case, if you can't get the temperature down below 65癋 during the summer months, you may need to accept the fact that you'll see more pitchers in winter and spring, and fewer in summer and fall.  Keep the plant close to an unopened window to help it experience the cooler night air.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin