Question
I have had this Nepenthes (I believe that it is a N. Ventricos) for about three months and it was growing really well but recently it has started turning yellow, it started from the bottom and worked its way up, and now all of the leaves have a hit of yellow, even the new leaves. Is this something that I should be concerned about. I normally have them under the lights for about 16 hours a day and the relative humidity is at 40%~.

Here is the plant in question:
http://thepyro.smugmug.com/gallery/4001070/1/234979687#234979687

Thanks,
Justin Dube


Answer
Hi Justin,

Thanks for the link to the picture.  Good News!  Your plant is perfectly healthy.  That is the way Nepenthes ventricosa typically looks.  In fact, when I see plants that have darker green leaves, it usually means that they have been in too low light conditions, and have been over fertilized.  Our larger plants always have that slightly yellow appearance with nice red pitchers on the red pitcher clones.  

The only thing I noticed that might be of concern was the soil media.  It looked like typical peat/perlite cp mix.  Nepenthes like a fairly course mix.  It would help to use a mix with more bark or coconut chips in it to help with soil aeration.  Nepenthes soil should drain quickly.


Good Growing!

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