Question
Hello Jeff,

I have a question regarding adding vermiculite to a Nepenthes soil mix. Do you think there is any additional benefit by adding vermiculite to a soil mix for ultra-highland Nepenthes such as rajah, edwardsiana, villosa, and macrophylla? For example, N. rajah grows naturally in sub-alpine conditions in Borneo...

Thank you,

Derick

Answer
Hi Derick,

Unless you've seen some good evidence from some long-time Nepenthes growers that there is a benefit, I would avoid it.  We used to use vermiculite in some mixes, but it breaks down and gets slimy.  I noticed in the revised addition of the Savage Garden that Peter D'Amato recommends against it's use these days too for similar reasons.

The high-elevation Nepenthes tend to grow in very mossy conditions.

Good Growing!

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