The pitchers are so full!!! Help!
They’re both full very much past the red part now. There is a sticky dew-like substance on the outside of the pitcher forming droplets. Is the plant okay?? Why is there so much water in the pitchers?! The water is a little jelly like too, and the second picture the water is murky. #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #NewGrowth #PlantTherapy #Nepenthes #NepenthesAlata #cpclubthursday #CarnivorousPlants #CarnivorousClub #
2” pot without drainage
Last watered 1 year ago
9
1. The sticky dew is nectar that the plant uses to attract insects to the pitcher. Thats normal.
2. The water naturally gets murky as the pitchers age and they catch more prey. That’s also normal
3. The water is usually sticky and jelly like to assist in catching (and keeping) insects in the pitcher
4. Now, I’m not sure why the pitchers are so full. Usually they never get more than 1/3 full. According to google and Gemini, the plant could be being overwatered and is producing extra fluid in an attempt to combat it. Make sure your plant partially dries out to ensure healthy roots and foliage production! It could also be rain (if you put them outside) filling the pitchers, and if that’s the case, it’s fine (although it can dilute the digestive fluids).
2. The water naturally gets murky as the pitchers age and they catch more prey. That’s also normal
3. The water is usually sticky and jelly like to assist in catching (and keeping) insects in the pitcher
4. Now, I’m not sure why the pitchers are so full. Usually they never get more than 1/3 full. According to google and Gemini, the plant could be being overwatered and is producing extra fluid in an attempt to combat it. Make sure your plant partially dries out to ensure healthy roots and foliage production! It could also be rain (if you put them outside) filling the pitchers, and if that’s the case, it’s fine (although it can dilute the digestive fluids).
@UrLocalPlantGuy they’re really heavy too, for a tiny pitcher. I also only distilled water every time the sphagnum moss dries out- is that good? I know nepenthes aren’t bog plants but should I water them less and more frequently? (Also the dew does smell kind of sweet!)
Yes! Nepenthes grow in tropical rainforests in loose soil (and even as epiphytes) and only need water when the soil dries out, and they can die if they’re left sitting in water. As long as nepenthes have good light, adequate humidity, and regular watering they should thrive!
Quick question, though. How old are the pitchers that are so full? Is it all pitchers, just old ones, or just new ones? If they’re old ones, it could simply be the displacement of fluids by the bugs collecting in the pitcher making the illusion of extra full pitchers (which is normal). If they’re new ones, though, it could be tied to the problems in my previous comment.
Quick question, though. How old are the pitchers that are so full? Is it all pitchers, just old ones, or just new ones? If they’re old ones, it could simply be the displacement of fluids by the bugs collecting in the pitcher making the illusion of extra full pitchers (which is normal). If they’re new ones, though, it could be tied to the problems in my previous comment.
@UrLocalPlantGuy about 3-4 weeks for the one with the lid. The one without a lid is almost 2 months? It’s pretty old but looks new. I did wonder if they were full because of the volume of food in there but they digested all the food quickly and are still very full.
@Seedstarter many times. He eats a lot. Today he was fed a small slug! Other than that, there’s been no food in the pitchers for a little while.
@Fireplace I know that sometimes, to aid in digestion, pitchers will secrete more digestive fluid depending on the size of their catch.
@Fireplace btw, does the dew on the outside mean that it’s ‘hungry’? Should I feed it more or stop? I give it annoying bugs I find or leftovers from my bearded dragon.