Question

Pitcher   QUESTION: I have a fairly large Nepenthes Alata growing in a north facing window(I live in New Zealand). The stem is over a foot long and very rapid growing, since I bought it it opened one pitcher, and I removed several others, they were all very small pitchers. It seems to be very happily growing in this windowsill but it is not producing any pitchers, the small young pitchers on the ends of the tendrils are drying up and falling apart before they even develop any size, I know they typically look dead, but believe me these are dying. It is growing next to a Nepenthes Gothica which itself had recieved a bit of abuse before i bought it, this plant is also growing vigorously without pitchers. I mist these plants multiple times a day to keep up humidity, and the window recieves bright light in the morning with a gentle glow throughout the afternoon, I water them with rainwater every few days to maintain moisture, the soil is peaty and infertile. I'd like to know if I'm doing anything wrong and why it is losing young pitchers, and how I can help to fix this. Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Daniel,

From what you've described you may have two things going on that are causing your plants to not make pitchers.  The first is light.  They probably need more sun.  Making pitchers is an energy intensive business, and if the plants are not getting a fair amount of sun, they won't make pitchers.  You'll get lots of leaves, but not the pitchers.  In the Southern hemisphere, either a North or West window will be your best option, or find a partially shaded place outside when your temperatures are in the 70's F.  Auckland is subtropical is it not?  Just protect the plant from any freezing.

The other thing that could be inhibiting pitcher production is your misting.  With regular plants misting is one of those old wives tales that makes us feel good, but is of no benefit to the plant, and in the case of Nepenthes may inhibit pitcher production.  The reason is that when you mist you get a short increase in humidity, but it quickly dissipates followed by a drop in humidity.  The plant is on a constant see-saw with humidity going up and down.  It never has a chance to adapt to the conditions.  I've had plenty of Nepenthes in windows that I never mist that pitcher just fine.  I've also met lots of avid Nepenthes misters who to the person have trouble with their plants not making pitchers.

Good Growing!

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

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QUESTION: Auckland is subtropical to temperate and it is in a north window recieving direct light for the morning but light all day nonetheless. I've stopped misting them the last few days, we'll see how that turns out. Thanks to your advice, I've prepared a plan B, Judged my the behavior of a N' Ventricosa in the living room, I'll find out which room is better off for the plants, the living room has north, west, and south facing windows, in this room many plants grow including ficus, peace lily and some cacti. I'll be able to supply them with humidity trays in the lounge also. This alternative room also has a heat pump which we use a few hours a day/night during the winter, and my family insist on closing the curtains during the day despite my protests. My question is... Does a few hours of heating at night affect Nepenthes? and should I continue to fight to keep the curtains open all day?

ANSWER: Hi Daniel,

With this variety, not at all.  They enjoy typical household temperatures.  You definitely want the plant in some direct sun.  I've gotten the best results when a plant gets around 4 hours of direct sun.  Indirect light doesn't count.  Keep those curtains open if you can (and not cause a battle:)).

Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: I'm guessing it would be better off in the living room then. Would the plants be okay being elevated(but not hanging) and somewhat further inside the room rather than in the window sill...? One might say it is a generally brighter room overall.

Answer

Leilani Hapu'u Nepenth   Hi Daniel,

I'm afraid the answer is no on this one.  I'm going to include a photo of plants from a Nepenthes grower in Hawaii to give you an idea of how much sun he gives his plants.  Glass blocks 80% of UV light, and the intensity drops rapidly as you move away from the window.  You'll find yourself back in the situation of lots of leaves, but no pitchers.

Good Growing!

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