FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hi everyone! I’m a new grower to nepenthes. I have had a baby nepenthes dubia for about 2 months. It is planted in long fiber moss. Growing under red/blue lights and in a room about 70-75 degrees in the day. I mist it every morning with distilled water and top water once a week. Things have been going well, new growth, green leaves, until now.

I noticed a lot of fruit flies and decided to put some rocks on top to stop them from laying eggs in my moss. I also chose to water my plant with it sitting in a tray of water for 20 minutes tray this weekend instead of top watering as usual. All of a sudden, green leaves started browning and dying from the bottom. Not sure if it is just aging or over/under watering? I cut 4 leaves off the stem this afternoon and new growth looks dark at the end (see pictures).

How can I save my plant!? Is it overwatered and possibly rotting at the root?

I think your over water but I could be wrong. It probably is the humidity most likely. Try to figure out the humidity of the location it's in. Also I recommend lower nightly temps for it.

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Just my opinion...a plant that small doesn't have big roots. Those rocks aren't going to help and in my opinion might be more harmful than helpful. The center growth point looks good. N.dubia isn't a really fast grower. And like was mentioned don't over do the watering..

I grow fruit flies to feed my fish and plants. Never had one lay eggs in sphagnum, so have to question your ID of the flying insects. Are you sure you don't have something else? Don't need the rocks if they are typical fruit flies, but maybe you have a different species of fly?

On second thought. I zoomed in on the growth point in the center and it looks black. Not sure if it's going to make it.

I dont know if it's too late or not I was able to rescue both of my my nepenthes lowii from root rot it also showed the same symptoms (black growth tip and losing leaves rapidly) I repotted them in airy media with alot of perlite and only watered when the media was super light , also I don't know if this played a part or not but i made sure to give them proper temp drops. Don't lose hope untill every bit of green is gone ! I now have 3 growth points on one and 2 on the other good luck!!

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That's what I would recommend also
Ironcore21. Light and airy mixture and nice job saving your plants.

Thank you all! I noticed this morning that my oldest of the two leaves is going to go too. It’s browning started at the base overnight. I’m going to repot it tonight and try to save it!

Labro3 wrote:Hi everyone! I’m a new grower to nepenthes. I have had a baby nepenthes dubia for about 2 months. It is planted in long fiber moss. Growing under red/blue lights and in a room about 70-75 degrees in the day. I mist it every morning with distilled water and top water once a week. Things have been going well, new growth, green leaves, until now.

I noticed a lot of fruit flies and decided to put some rocks on top to stop them from laying eggs in my moss. I also chose to water my plant with it sitting in a tray of water for 20 minutes tray this weekend instead of top watering as usual. All of a sudden, green leaves started browning and dying from the bottom. Not sure if it is just aging or over/under watering? I cut 4 leaves off the stem this afternoon and new growth looks dark at the end (see pictures).

How can I save my plant!? Is it overwatered and possibly rotting at the root?

As a new Nep grower, I'd say Dubia is ambitious. I've found this nep to be a true HL leaning UHL. In which IMO, you may want to try lower day temps... whats your night temps? Temp drops to very cool and high humidity is very important with HLs