- Tue Apr 23, 2019 7:37 pm
#333017
Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and relatively new to keeping predatory plants. I'm looking for some tips and advice from all of you more experienced hobbyists. I bought a nepenthes ventricosa from the internet about a year ago because I had developed a bit of an interest in the hobby and after some research found that it was an easy pitcher plant recommended for beginners. Everything seemed to be going well until recently I have noticed a lot of the leaves starting to get holes and browning. I have been trimming off the leaves as they die and since the plant is still pretty small it has left it looking pretty scraggly with a long brown stem. It is planted in pure sphagnum moss and I water frequently with distilled water. I always make sure to keep the soil damp and do not have it sitting in water. I have also noticed what seems to be little bugs that I believe are living in the moss (maybe springtails? I'm not quite sure and will try to post some pictures). The plant is sitting on a partially sunny, south-facing windowsill in my kitchen and I am worried that one of my cats may be chewing on some of the leaves and causing the issues. Sorry for writing so much but just wanted to provide as much background as possible. I will post some pictures of my plant from a few months ago and how it looks currently.
Here are my main questions:
1. Should I replant it in into something like a hanging pot that is a little larger? (Plant is very small but I'm always concerned about the roots having enough room to grow)
2. If so, what is the ideal potting mix for a nepenthes ventricosa?
3. If I do replant it should I plant it up to where the leaves are or leave the brown stem exposed (like it is currently)?
4. Should I be misting the leaves and pitchers?
5. Should I be feeding it anything since its indoors? (I have read that some people put a small fish pellet into a pitcher every now and then to provide some nutrients)
6. Would the plant do better outdoors to keep it away from my cats and allow it to catch more bugs? (I live in zone 7 and the current spring temperatures are about 70°-80° F during the day and 50°-60°F at night)
7. Could I supplement distilled water for rain water or tap water that has been treated with dechlorinator (like something that would be used in an aquarium)?
8. When I trim dead leaves, should I pull them off of the stem or cut them at the base?
9. I'm pretty patient and understand that nepenthes ventricosa isnt really a fast growing plant but if anyone has any tips to help it grow larger and more full please share!
Feel free to give constructive criticism or advice as you see fit! I am open to suggestions and would appreciate the help. Sorry for the long post again and thank you for your time.
Here are my main questions:
1. Should I replant it in into something like a hanging pot that is a little larger? (Plant is very small but I'm always concerned about the roots having enough room to grow)
2. If so, what is the ideal potting mix for a nepenthes ventricosa?
3. If I do replant it should I plant it up to where the leaves are or leave the brown stem exposed (like it is currently)?
4. Should I be misting the leaves and pitchers?
5. Should I be feeding it anything since its indoors? (I have read that some people put a small fish pellet into a pitcher every now and then to provide some nutrients)
6. Would the plant do better outdoors to keep it away from my cats and allow it to catch more bugs? (I live in zone 7 and the current spring temperatures are about 70°-80° F during the day and 50°-60°F at night)
7. Could I supplement distilled water for rain water or tap water that has been treated with dechlorinator (like something that would be used in an aquarium)?
8. When I trim dead leaves, should I pull them off of the stem or cut them at the base?
9. I'm pretty patient and understand that nepenthes ventricosa isnt really a fast growing plant but if anyone has any tips to help it grow larger and more full please share!
Feel free to give constructive criticism or advice as you see fit! I am open to suggestions and would appreciate the help. Sorry for the long post again and thank you for your time.
Attachments:
Zoomed in picture of what looks like dead bugs
15560479693293393428143189429476.jpg (1.42 MiB) Viewed 1507 times
15560479693293393428143189429476.jpg (1.42 MiB) Viewed 1507 times
Plant now
15560479106815243188432045243726.jpg (3.17 MiB) Viewed 1507 times
15560479106815243188432045243726.jpg (3.17 MiB) Viewed 1507 times
Plant now
15560478635972761439819405552318.jpg (3.19 MiB) Viewed 1507 times
15560478635972761439819405552318.jpg (3.19 MiB) Viewed 1507 times
Plant now
15560478115863764844197135848416.jpg (2.95 MiB) Viewed 1507 times
15560478115863764844197135848416.jpg (2.95 MiB) Viewed 1507 times
Plant a few months ago
Snapchat-337023536.jpg (317.09 KiB) Viewed 1507 times
Snapchat-337023536.jpg (317.09 KiB) Viewed 1507 times
Plant a few months ago
Snapchat-1040973257.jpg (316.97 KiB) Viewed 1507 times
Snapchat-1040973257.jpg (316.97 KiB) Viewed 1507 times
Plant a few months ago
Snapchat-337023536.jpg (317.09 KiB) Viewed 1507 times
Snapchat-337023536.jpg (317.09 KiB) Viewed 1507 times