N truncata
Jan 5, 2013 5:02:20 GMT -10
Post by naturelover on Jan 5, 2013 5:02:20 GMT -10
I'm new to Nepenthes and just wanted to share. I live in the northern US where the winters are long and cold. I purchased this as a lowland N truncata. It has tripled in size in 6 months. The pitchers have gotten bigger with each one. I currently have this indoors and am surprised it keeps churning out pitchers. I didn't expect any during the winter months. I don't have a greenhouse and don't keep this plant in ideal conditions. I have forced air heat, making my house dry. I mist my N truncata 3 times a day (when I get up, when I get home from work and when I go to bed). I keep my house cool (65 during the day, 68 when I'm home ands 67 at night.) I do keep the plant under 4 32 watt standard grolux lights 14 hours per day. So high light, low humidity and low temps. It currently has several pitchers in progress but the most recent is pictured. It's just over 9 inches and it's January!! I'm amazed this plant is still making pitchers and shows no sign of letting up. If anyone in northern climates is staying away from nepenthes out of fear they can't grow them, I've learned there are many species that do great in less than ideal conditions. I'm using a 50% orchid mix with added high grade orchid bark and 50% Chilean long fiber spaghnum moss. I never fertilize and water daily with good drainage. The full size coffee cup is just for size reference. I also have N miranda and N porsolana making pitchers, but they are very young plants. My N bicalcarata isn't doing anything though.
