Question
Hi, my three nepenthes are due for a re-potting into larger pots and fresh media. The sanguinea is in a 1:1:1 mix of peat moss, perlite and sand whilst my DeRoose alatas have never been re-potted since purchasing from a garden centre so the current media is unknown. I would happily re-pot all into the same 1:1:1 mix listed above but I wanted to go peat free this time. I noticed on your website that one suitable mix you suggest is a 1:1 dried sphagnum moss to perlite. At my local garden centre however (I live in England) I only managed to find live sphagnum moss, not dried. As far as I can tell the live moss is exactly the same as the dried, apart from the fact it is moist.

I am aware of how well live sphagnum holds moisture so would it be too wet to use? Or would live sphagnum and perlite be just fine?

Thanks again, Chris.

Answer
If you ask 10 different Nepenthes growers what type of mix they use, you will get 10 different answers.  Nepenthes can be grown in a wide variety of mixes as long as the mix is low in nutrients (nitrogen and minerals), provides lots of aeration and drains well.  Over the years, we have changed our mix numerous times.  

If you want a peat-free mix, you can use 1 part dried sphagnum moss and 1 part perlite.  You can skip the perlite if you use live sphagnum moss.  Make sure it is indeed sphagnum moss.  Other types of moss are not at all suitable.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin