Question
Hi, I just purchased a N x ventrata at a local garden center and am wondering if I need to add water to the pitchers, or if I should just leave them alone and allow the plant to adjust to it's new home. It is in a hanging basket and has a lot of pretty large pitchers on it, and some shriveled up dead ones. Should I remove the dead pitchers or just let them come off on their own?  Thanks in advance! Any help you can give would be great as I am a first time owner, but am very excited about having it!!

Answer
Hi Annie,

This particular Nepenthes is one of the easiest Nepenthes to grow.  It adapts well to a variety of growing conditions, and it grows fairly quickly in warm conditions.

Nepenthes naturally produce their own fluids in their pitchers.  The fluids is a complex concoction of sugars and enzymes to attract and breakdown captured insects.  

During the transport process, it's common for the fluids to spill out.  The plant will produce more fluids after it acclimates to its new environment.  Sunlight also has a direct affect on fluid production.  In bright light, a Nepenthes will produce copious amounts of fluids.  In low light, it will produce only a scant amount.  So if you add fluids to the pitchers, you won't know if the plant is acclimating properly.  

So I recommend to leave the pitchers as they are and make sure the plant is getting lots of water and sunlight.  Grow it in a very sunny south or west window for best results.  

For more information about growing Nepenthes, read our care sheet online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin