Question
My little Nepenthes bicalcurata has not done anything for a year. I am in Kansas and this is in a terrarium with artificial light for at least 12 hours Plus it is in the south window to get sun too. I feed it rainwater from top down.I repotted with about .5 spaghnum and .5 perlit. Several leaves have grown with little shoots at the end . But no pitchers whatsoever. I have given it a little dose of orchid food in water too. Any ideas on how to make the pitchers to come out?

Answer
Hi Eric,

Yes, this particular species is a bit tough to grow outside of a tropical climate.  There are three issues that might be affecting your plant.

The first is temperature.  This plant likes it warm.  Ideally, the minimum temperature should be 70癋 at night.  Daytime temperatures should be about 80?85癋.  If the temperature is too cool throughout the day, the plant will stop producing pitchers.

The second issue, could be lighting. Although you mentioned using artificial light, you have to make sure it's at the appropriate intensity.  Those 20-watt aquarium lights are inadequate.  The fluorescent light needs to be 40-watts or more (in actual output).  Use a compact fluorescent bulb if you only have one plant in your terrarium.  Keep the light about 6-8 inches above the plant.

The third issue is fertilizer.  You mentioned that you're dosing the plant with orchid food in the water.  Fertilizer in the soil will actually trigger the plant to stop producing pitchers.  Since the plant is getting nutrients through its roots, it figures it doesn't need to produce pitchers to capture insect.  

While you can fertilizer Nepenthes to help it produce pitcher, you actually apply it to its leaves and not in the soil.  Use only 1/4 teaspoon of orchid fertilizer per gallon of water.  Spray the solution on the leaves.  A couple squirts are all you need.

At this time, however, I would advise to cease fertilizing altogether. Ideally you should fertilize only when the the plant is getting appropriate lighting.  Since the lighting is in question, the extra nutrients won't be doing any good, and may be working against you.  You will also need to flush out the nutrients in the soil by pouring copious amounts of distilled water through the soil.  Otherwise, repot the plant in a fresh mix of soil.

With this species, you can use 1 part peat moss and 2 parts perlite.  We've found that this species likes a heavier and more acidic mix.  The mix you're using is also fine to use.

After making these changes, you'll need to give your plant at least two months before it starts making pitchers again.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin