Home»Carnivorous
The “ Pitcher Plant ” Nepenthes [ nee - pen’-theez ] is gross for those with greenish thumbs .
Nepenthes incline to be a bit of a challenge to grow . It ’s acarnivorous plant typewith a unique look ask special care .
Photo Credit: Instagram @metal_drew
The strange “ pitchers ” grow on the ends of Nepenthes leaves throw the plant its common name of “ pitcher plant . ”
Nepenthes are also called “ Monkey Cups . ” The name reportedly come from rapscallion who at times drink in the fluid in the pitchers .
These growths design help trap and digest food to keep the plant fed .
There are over 70 mintage of Nepenthes plants ( 23 lowlands , 48 coolheaded upland ) . They are aboriginal to percentage of the Philippines , northerly Australia , and Malaysia .
Related : How To Care For A Venus Fly Trap
Monkey loving cup plants make rattling hanging baskets and conversation crank . Below are some grow confidential information to care for this unusual plant life .
Nepenthes Pitcher Plant Care
How Big Do Nepenthes Grow?
The tropical Pitcher Plant is a mounting plant and sometimes semi - shrubby . But , most people grow them as hang plants . This allows the unique parting to dangle .
The stems often make up to 16″ inches and are slow growers . You may enquire whether your plant will produce the pitcher leaves . In some instance , the leaves may never show up .
Does Nepenthes Flower or Have A Fragrance?
The carnivorous plant seldom flowers during refinement .
When these plants do flower , the flower bunch are on bow freestanding from the leaves with the pitcher lobe .
The flowers have no fragrance and vary in people of color .
What Kind Of Lighting Do Pitcher Plants Need?
Do n’t range plants of Nepenthes in direct sun . The intense light can damage the farewell and cause the plant life to dry out out .
If potential , attend for a shady bit and keep the works in lovesome conditions .
During the summertime , the advocate temperature range is 70 ° to 85 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
In the winter , keep the tropical hurler Nepenthes at 70 ° to 75 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
The temperature range does n’t leave a lot of wiggle room . This is one of the reasons why these flora are difficult to wish for .
TIP : Growing as a bathroom plantNepenthes will delight the humidness and stable temperature . Plants may need additional lighting in bathroom .
Watering and Feeding These Carnivorous Plants
DO NOT FERTILIZEwith this plant . peg to water .
irrigate the carnivorous flora often to prevent the soil from dry out out . Mist almost daily , particularly during the warmer months .
Humidity is essential to the health of these plant life . If it dries out , it will die .
What “Type of Soil” Does Nepenthes Grow In?
Many agriculturist apply several inches of moist sphagnum moss , or peat moss to plant carnivorous Nepenthes .
The sphagnum and peat moss hold water , insure the roots do n’t dry out .
Never transplant unless it ’s necessary . The works is unlikely to survive the cognitive operation .
What Maintenance Or Grooming Does Nepenthes Plants Need?
genus Nepenthes need no major training . But , if you see withered leaves or ewer , bring down them off so that unexampled one can grow .
How To Propagate The Pitcher Plant
Propagate Nepenthes from either come or cuttings .
How To Start Plants From Seed
seminal fluid of twirler plants start well on a bed of sphagnum moss . To start seed you ’ll call for :
Propagation By Cuttings
Keep in mind successful propagation comes with time .
This finicky flora is a challenge to arise , especially when produce from a cutting .
Nepenthes Pests or Disease Problems
You should n’t get any plague problems with the pitcher plant . In fact , pests should watch out for this carnivorous plant .
The pitcher allow ambuscade and digest worm . Each mound carry about a 1/2″ to 1″ column inch layer of digestive juice .
Insects that decrease into the “ mound ” drown . The digestive juices dissolve and bring out down the worm into proteins .
These proteins are then absorbed by the plant .
While you do n’t postulate to worry about insects , you may need to interest about various health issues .
works can suffer from faint growth and yellow leave-taking . This is often the result of extra moisture or humbled temperature .
If the plant take care weak , increase the temperature and ensure that you ’re misting it daily .
TIP : regard using purified water alternatively of water faucet water . The tap water may contain food that can harm the plant .
If you point out the plant is no longer growing new parting or pitchers , you may be overfeed . Avoid watering for several weeks . Starving it may aid the new pitcher farm .
banknote : If industrial plant are overfed , it does n’t have a need to grow young pitchers . The twirler are used for seize and bear captured prey ( insects ) .
proceed to fog the plant life regularly during this period of time .
Suggested “Starter Carnivorous Pitchers” For Beginners
You ’ll find many type of pitcherful plants . The beginner should start with the recommended variety below :
Nepenthes alata – native to the Philippines . Many bright light-green pitcher .
Nepenthes khasiana – Hindu Kush Mountains , scupper . honorable , long light-green pitcher . Only mound plant life species aboriginal to India .
Nepenthes ventricosa – Philippines . flourish under cool , moist treatment .
Nepenthes rajah – Colorful greenish - red to ruby purplish pitchers with a large umbrella . Does well in “ fern - corresponding atmosphere . ”
genus Nepenthes rafflesiana – Malacca , Borneo and Sumatra , broad dispersion . Interesting and colored pitcher , variable . One of the best .
Nepenthes gracilis – Malaysia . Easy to grow . Most abundant species . diminished green pitchers .
