Question
Ref: Nepenthes
soil: 1 Part s. Moss 1 part pearlite
south facing sunroom 72deg daytime 68 deg night
in a north facing window

I have lost main plant (no one answered question) and I have 3 survivors left.  Main was about 4 years old and grew quite well. Then leaves started turning black and it died.  I tried to repot it with fresh soil mix to no avail!! Now two of the survivors are turning black.  What is wrong and what must I do to save these plants. Please help!

Thank You

Larry Caley

Answer
Hi Larry,

A combination of the soil mix combined with possibly keeping the soil too wet sounds like the culprit.  The peat/perlite mix you're using is appropriate for bog species such as Sarracenia and Drosera, but not Nepenthes.  Nepenthes are not bog plants.  They need a soil media that drains quickly, yet retains some moisture.  Nepenthes media is similar to a terrestrial orchid mix.  A good mix is long-fiber sphagnum moss with a quantity of orchid bark mixed in.  When you water the water should drain freely.  Also, pots Nepenthes should never be allowed to sit in water.

Your lighting could also be a contributing factor.  You mentioned that it's in a North exposure.  Move the plant to where it gets at least partial sun; around three to four hours would be good.  Contrary to popular belief, Nepenthes are not shade plants.

The bottom line is that you should transplant your plants to a coarser media, make sure they are damp, but not sitting in water, and that they are getting enough sun.

Consider taking a look at our volume #3 DVD.  This will help you to avoid problems like these, and avoid the pitfalls so common to new growers.  In the video series we don't just tell you what to do, we show you.  http://www.cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=38&products_id=  It will help you protect your investment.

Good Growing!

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