Question
QUESTION: My Asian pitcher plants have exploded this summer, they are now about 10 times the size they started this spring. I have brought them inside and noticed the pictures on both species are turning brown from the top down. what is wrong?? How long are the pitchers and leaves suppose to last??  Can I trim off brown pitchers and discolored leaves??

Outside the house they got well water, how should they be watered inside.  Do I need to fill the pitchers??

also, When should I repot, and what are your guidelines,ie, new pot size, when to repot, soil, etc.  The pots are tiny in comparison to the size of the plant.

Also, Can new plants be propagated by air-layering (wrapping a small ball of sphagnum moss inside a plastic wrapper around an injured stem??  If so when is the best time to do this??

Thanks to your advice, Venus Flytraps have sprung to life this last spring from a pretty desperate state.

ANSWER: Hi Larry,

Good going on your Nepenthes!  That explosion in growth is a sign that they are happy in their new home.

Pitchers last for only about 2-3 months.  After that, they start to turn brown at the top.  Shortly after that, the entire pitcher will turn brown.  This is completely normal.  As long as the leaves on your plant are firm and green, your plant is healthy.

When you can't stand looking at the pitchers, clip them off near the tip of the leaf.  We do this constantly at our nursery.

If you're using well water and your plants are growing fine, you can continue with it.  Avoid filling the pitchers.  The plant produces its own special concoction.  Just make sure the plant is in a sunny window, such as a south or west window during the winter months.

The time to repot your plant is when it looks disproportional to the pot.  Repot it into a pot that looks proportional to the plant.  If you continue to use well water, you should also repot your plant at least once every year to keep it fresh and low in minerals.

You can propagate Nepenthes via air layering, but it's not a technique we use.  The process of Nepenthes propagation is a bit too extensive to go into via email.  Suffice to say that we are including an extensive section on Nepenthes propagation in the second edition of our e-book.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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

QUESTION: Thanks Jacob,

They are such interesting plants!!!

Now that you mention it, there are red leaves, this summer some were quite crimson. Too much sun???.

what is a good soil mixture for repotting???

Now, where can I find a 5 gallon hanging pot, lol...

LarryC

Answer
Hi Larry,

I'm assuming that you're referring to your N. sanguinea as being quite crimson.  This is normal when the plant is getting lots of sunlight.  I've heard of some growers growing this particular species literally in full sun.  It will turn red, but whether it is too much sun is a matter of personal preference, unless of course the leaves are clearly getting damaged.  Personally, I prefer just a shade of copper in the leaves.

There are a variety of mixes you can use.  The simplest is a mix of 1 part dried sphagnum moss and 1 part perlite (or pumice).  Wet them thoroughly before potting your plants.  Depending on the size of your plant, a 6- or 8-inch hanging pot would probably be just fine.

For additional mixes, download our care sheet at:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets.html

Good growing!
Jacob Farin