Question
I purchased a Nepenthes Deroose Alata from your site.  I am very happy with it & all is doing well.  I live in Central Ohio, so I still have about another 4-6 wks before the weather starts to break.  My question is, should I trim off the old black/dry pitchers as they begin to shrivel up?  Or should I just let them fall off on their own?  I have about 5 newly forming pitchers that are developing, but I wasn't sure if I should just leave the old pitchers alone.  If I do trim the old ones off, where exactly should I make the cut?  
I look forward to your response!
Shell
Columbus Ohio

Answer
Hi Shell,

With old Nepenthes pitchers, cut them off when you can't stand to look at them anymore.  It won't matter much to the plant one way or the other.  If the leaf is still green, just cut off the tendril at the end of the leaf.  If the leaf is turning yellow or brown, cut it off too.


Good Growing!

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