FlyTrapCare Forums

Hello!

I was gifted a pitcher plant in September 2018 and have done my best to care for it since then - not really knowing too much about it. After reading a lot of threads on this site I am assuming it is a nepenthes? It stands in front of a sunny patio door and I water with distilled water. I repotted it once about a year ago, but it grows verrryyyy quickly and now it is incredibly tall, so I think it is probably due a repot again. There are two basal plants - one is producing the larger pitchers in the picture. The second one is quite squidged in, but has produced two smaller pitchers. When/if I repot, should the basal plants move too? Or should they go into separate pots?

The main plant is still growing taller and is making what seem to be upper pitchers, but the stem is slowly turning brown which is spreading upwards, the leaves browning in turn. It never made pitchers on the middle section. I am hoping this is just a sign of the plant maturing, but should I be concerned?

I would really appreciate any help and general advice/ information about my beloved pitcher plant!

Thank you

You are correct, it is a nepenthes. I do not know what species though. It could use some more light. A repot would do it some good as well. The basal shoots look old enough to separate into different pots. What soil are you using?

Thanks! It is usually in a full sun, south-facing window. I'll make sure it doesn't get hidden behind the curtain though! Not sure what brand of soil it's in at the moment - it was definitely one recommended for carnivorous plants. I have just bought some Big Budz soil (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07 ... UTF8&psc=1) and a carnviorous plant potting mix (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00 ... UTF8&psc=1) for the repot.

Good looking plant! I am almost certain that this is a nepenthes ventrata. The browning is normal, as nepenthes are considered woody vines (I believe). The oldest growth towards the bottom will naturally start to die off after some time. A repotting would definitely do it some good, but I would use dried long fiber sphagnum moss and perlite. It allows for more aeration.

Good luck!

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As long as the browning is below the lowest living leaf it is okay.

Thanks everyone for all the replies! The browning is below the leaf, but the lowest leaf gradually dies then the brown spreads up the stem a bit more. I've got a nice big pot to move her into, and some smaller pots for the basals if needed. I'll have a go at repotting at the weekend and post a photo update

plant looks awsome! Nepenthes don't need huge pots as they have a small root system. the pot looks quite adequate i would not bother go too much bigger, just refresh the media once it starts to brake down

Thank you!! The main issue is stability - she's so tall that I'm worried she will topple over so need her in something with a bigger base. Hoping it won't do any harm to have her in a big pot

BeakyGlan wrote:Hoping it won't do any harm to have her in a big pot

A big pot is always better. I have never heard about any bad effects of having bigger pots besides them taking up more of space.