Nepenthes

Family. Nepenthaceae.

Where does it grow? Northern Australia, Philippines, Malaysia, Madagascar.

Description. Nepenthes are evergreen, carnivorous plants, among which there are epiphytic and terrestrial representatives. Some specimens are vines. The leaves are oblong, with rounded tips, green, up to 30 cm long, in most cases collected in a rosette. The plants are equipped with hanging pitchers in a wide variety of shades - from green, to white, pink, purple, brown, with spots and stripes. The flowers are small, greenish or brown, collected in small inflorescences, inconspicuous. Nepenthes trap jugs contain digestive enzymes at the bottom and are covered with a round lid that protects them from raindrops. Insects attracted by the smell of nectar descend into the jug, which is closed with a lid.

Height. Small plants are suitable for indoor culture - from 20 to 50 cm; in nature they can reach 3 m in height. They grow slowly.

Caring at home

Reproduction, growing from seeds 

Propagated by sowing seeds in the soil in spring. Seedlings are kept at a temperature of at least 25°C, under a film or glass cap to maintain humidity. Propagation by cuttings is possible.

How to care 

Representatives of this genus require special conditions when grown at home. They are grown mainly by experienced gardeners. Large specimens can be trimmed to maintain a compact shape.

Transplanting

Transplantation can be carried out in the spring, but nepenthes do not need nutritious soil and there is no particular point in this procedure. The root system is very easily damaged - try not to disturb it often. 

Watering 

The soil should be kept evenly moist, but not waterlogged. There should be no standing water in the pan that has accumulated after watering. Plants are watered only with soft bottled or rain water.

What to feed

Small insects can be periodically placed in the pitchers as food. Predatory Nepenthes do not need fertilizers, their root system is not adapted to absorb nutrients. Bushes can even die when using mineral fertilizers.

Soil 

Based on pine bark, peat, with the addition of perlite or fine expanded clay to improve the drainage abilities of the soil. Add a small amount of finely ground charcoal to the soil. 

When it blooms 

Nepenthes rarely bloom indoors.

Containment temperature

The flower is heat-loving and prefers to be in a room with a temperature of about 25°C in summer and 22°C in winter. Do not expose the bushes to temperatures below 18°C.

Diseases and pests

Leaves turn yellow and fall off when there is insufficient air humidity or when kept cool. 

Pests appear rarely, sometimes mealybugs and aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, and spider mites appear.

Growing conditions - lighting

Tolerate partial shade; do not place the plant in direct sunlight.  

Spraying 

These predators require high humidity - use a tray of water covered with a grid from which the moisture will constantly evaporate. You can place a room humidifier near the pot or surround it with a layer of wet sphagnum moss. It is recommended to spray only with warm and soft water.

Purpose

A very beautiful genus, which is suitable for lovers of exotics. When grown in hanging baskets, the pitchers hang over the edges of the container, which looks very beautiful.

Note

Unfortunately, nepenthes only live for a few years in indoor culture, since it is quite difficult to satisfy all their needs.

Varieties:

Nepenthes rajah

The largest carnivorous plant with pitchers. Each jug can hold up to 3.5 liters. water and 2.5 l. digestive fluid. Nepenthes Raja, thanks to its large size and trap-jars located directly on the ground, is able to feed not only on insects but also on small vertebrates, such as lizards, frogs, rats or small birds. The plant has thick, fleshy, oblong-oval green leaves. The leaf blades are entire, slightly bent along the central vein. Pitcher traps are often painted in a brownish-burgundy hue and can reach a height of 40 cm and a diameter of about 20 cm. The traps are connected to the plant using long, thin, flexible stems that appear directly on the leaf blades, on the underside.

Nepenthes sanguinea

A fast-growing herbaceous, evergreen plant with light green, oblong-lanceolate leaves. The central vein on the leaf blades is often highlighted in a lighter shade. The surface of the leaves is glossy. The pitchers are narrow, arranged vertically, and can reach a height of 10 to 20 cm. Adult plants form larger traps. Trap colors vary and can include green, yellow, red, burgundy, and brownish shades. The surface of the traps may have small vertical, contrasting stripes. 

Nepenthes mirabilis

A perennial herbaceous, evergreen plant that forms a small stem with age. The leaves are long, green or yellowish-green, glossy, lanceolate. The edges of the leaf blades are entire and may have small bristles. The traps are quite wide, equipped with a lid, the shades of the traps vary and can be green, red, burgundy, or brownish. The height of the trap reaches 15 - 20 cm. The plant develops quickly. 

Nepenthes Bloody Mary

A predatory herbaceous plant with long, lanceolate, green or reddish, entire leaves. The leaf blades may be slightly bent along the central vein. With age, the plants form stems reaching a height of about 50 cm. The traps are vertical, covered with long, red, straight bristles. The traps are painted bright burgundy. This species looks very attractive when grown in a hanging pot as an hanging plant, when the jugs-traps hang over the edges of the pot. 

Nepenthes alata

A very attractive predator that is often grown as an hanging plant. The flexible stems of the vine reach a length of 4 m. The leaves are glossy, light green, lanceolate, gracefully arched, sessile. The leaf blades are slightly bent along the central vein. The plant is distinguished by the abundant formation of pitchers, which reach a height of 18 - 25 cm. The pitchers are colored pinkish, green, light green, brownish and often have vertical speckles on the surface.