Question

plant   Hi Ms Melissa,

  May I know if there's anything wrong with Nepenthes Ventrata? It's lower stem seems too weak to support its heavy canopy. There are some yellowing of leaves near the lower part of the plant as well. I'm afraid that the plant may snap. Previously, I tried to propagate the plant via stem cutting to no avail. Will attach more pictures for your reference.

Answer
Dear Alfredo, I have the same plant!  Yours actually looks a bit better than mine does right now.  This is about the time of year when I do my annual cleanup so let me tell you what I do.   First I cut back all the leggy stalks.  It will grow back and be much bushier.   I clean out all the dead leaves and any dying or brown pitchers need to be cut off.  Often you just need to cut the pitcher off, but the rest of the leaf is still good.  Interestingly, in my area where it gets cold, the plant stops making pitchers during the winter and starts again when it warms up.  (I can抰 let it get below 40 degrees Fahrenheit either.)  Now to root cuttings, you should use a mixture of equal parts peat moss, long fiber sphagnum, and perlite.  BE SURE on making any cuttings that you remove most of the leaves, and all the pitchers off the cuttings to get them to root faster.  I gave some cuttings to my neighbor and I think she just has them in regular soil but I think they are taking.  Anyway, I thought it was interesting that we have the same plant.  Be sure that you have an insect population around to keep the plant healthy, although they should be flying up to your balcony.  It is very big on attracting wasps, so be careful when you first start to handle it.  Since it is a carnivorous plant, don抰 fertilize it!   I hope this information helps and it was great to hear from you.  I have been looking up pictures of Singapore, especially some of the many temples and I was impressed with how beautiful it is.  Melissa