Nepentes is a flower for those interested in unusual plants. It has the name pitcher and flycatchers, and they perfectly suit him. Of the features distinguish insectivore.
Nepentes - what is this predatory flower
Nepentes is a representative of the Nepentov family. It is a predator plant. These are shrubby, sometimes semi-shrub vines. There are two types of leaves on the plant: large and pitcher-shaped, thanks to which it is called the "pitcher". With the help of jugs it obtains food for itself - insects.
Nepentes - an unusual plant
The plant looks unusual - it has bright large leaves reaching 30 cm in height. In addition to them, there are "digestive organs" - the tip of the leaf is converted into a shallow tendril. With the help of antennae, a jug is attached to the leaf, through which the plant preys on insects.
Varieties of Nepentes
Nepentes flower has many types. All of them are listed in the Red Book or are threatened with extinction. At present, the genus includes species: winged or Alata nepentes, Raja nepentes, Hukeriana nepentes, pitcher Nepentes and Sanguine nepentes.
Nepentes winged
Nepentes Alata or winged Nepentes is one of the undemanding species. In leaving unpretentious, it is often used as a subject of a decor. At home, the maximum length is 2 m, in the natural environment - 4. Jugs can be bright green in color, the leaves are dark green, red blotches are possible on them. The size of jugs varies around 20-25 cm.
Nepentes pitcher
The plant lives in a marshy climate. Pitchers are "nests" assembled in groups. There is a small lid above the jugs. It feeds on small insects, mainly mosquitoes and flies. The content is unpretentious.
Nepentes Raja
Nepentes Raja is the largest flower species. Its shoots can reach 6 m, and pitchers more than 50 cm in length. They have a brownish, sometimes burgundy color, can accommodate more than two liters of liquid. The diameter is about 20 cm. It is demanding on the growing conditions, so it is difficult to keep it at home.
Additional Information! Nepentes Raja can produce loot. Most often, mosquitoes become it, since they help the plant in reproduction.
Nepentes Hookeriana
Nepentes Hookeriana prefers a humid climate. At home, the flower is grown mainly in terrariums. Pitchers have a greenish color, traced different types of specks. At the initial stages of development, it is vulnerable, therefore it requires high humidity and temperature.
How to care for nepentes at home
Nepentes plant can be grown at home, but for this you need to carefully study the features. Some species are unpretentious and suitable for home maintenance, and some are able to develop only in a natural environment.
Growing at home
Illumination and temperature
Bright sunlight is needed. Suitable ambient light for 12 hours per day. The presence of ultraviolet radiation is important - 4 hours a day is enough for normal development.
Additional Information! Alpine plants will find it difficult to get along in the heat and vice versa. It is necessary to maintain an average temperature regime. Day should be from +15 to +23 ℃, at night - not lower than +13 ℃.
Watering rules and humidity
Most flowers grow and develop correctly with an average humidity of 50-60%. But some species require higher humidity - from 80%. It is necessary to use all methods of increasing humidity: purchase humidifiers, place a flower in an open aquarium, put containers with water around the pot.
For irrigation, water of room temperature or rain water that has been left for one day is used. They must get rid of excess water. In summer they water 2 times a week, in winter and autumn - 1 time.
How to feed a plant
Nepentes is an insectivorous plant. For feeding, they throw one live insect per month. It can be various small insects: flies, grasshoppers, spiders. Only half the jugs are fed, as they can absorb no more than two insects per month. Water is poured into the empty.
Important! Organic food, such as pieces of meat or fish, should not be given to a plant. It is highly probable that pitchers will rot from nitrogen overfeeding.
Transplanting and size of flower pot
The plant is transplanted only if necessary. The reason for this may be rotting of the roots, mold or inappropriate pot size. To find out if a plant needs a transplant, they take it out of the pot and examine the roots. If rot is noticed, the roots are cut off, and healthy ones are treated with fungicides.
If everything is in order with the roots, but the plant needs a pot with a large volume, the plant is transplanted into a container that is 15 cm larger than the previous one. After transplanting, they do not feed the flower for a month and observe the conditions of care.
Suitable plant container
Flower pruning and winter dormancy
It’s easy to take care of the plant. The shoots of the plant are recommended to be nipped, then the nepentes looks more neat and attractive. Pruning helps the bushes rejuvenate. It is better to cut it in the spring, and it is necessary to tweak for the first time after the sixth leaf grows.
In winter and autumn, a forced “winter rest period” is arranged for Nepentes. It is watered less and not fed. During winter dormancy, nepentes can lose leaves - this is a natural process. In spring, the leaves are pruned and resume normal care. Then the flower will continue to grow and develop.
How Nepentes Propagates
The plant is propagated in several ways.
Seed propagation
Domestic individuals are not often propagated by seeds, because it is problematic to fulfill all the necessary conditions. To propagate a plant in this way, you need fresh seeds, which are difficult to get even in a special store.
Additional Information! In specialized stores, it is difficult to find fresh seeds. Even if they offer to purchase such, it is impossible to verify their freshness. Vendors often sell old seeds under the guise of fresh ones.
It is possible to obtain seeds yourself. For this, male and female plants are taken. Fertilize them with flies and midges for the formation of the fetus. Since home specimens rarely bloom, reproduction in this way is not the fastest option.
Fresh seeds are planted in small containers. They grow in high humidity up to 100% and in a bright place. If everything is done correctly, the first results are visible after a few months.
Apical cuttings
Cuttings are cut in the spring, while using the upper part. At the beginning, the stalk is placed for half an hour in a special solution. Landing is made in moist sphagnum moss. This is a lengthy process and it requires special care. Cuttings protect against direct light. Two weeks later sprayed with Zircon. If the stalk loses its color, the process was unsuccessful, and if it did not lose, it was successful.
Note! The roots appear within a few months. After a couple of months, the stalk is transplanted, and the next transplant takes place no less than a year later.
Propagation of Nepentes by cuttings
Air layering
A piece of shoot bark is removed and part of the vine is pressed against the substrate. After a few months, the roots will appear. The layering is placed in an individual pot.
Root layering
The method is used when transplanting an adult flower. The predator Nepentes plant is moved to a container of water and the roots are cleaned. Using tools, separate the part from the plant with the root and plant the nepentes as described.
Life span
The plant can live no more than one and a half years (according to the directories). In practice, with proper care, the flower can survive up to three years.
Nepentes bloom how often this happens
This plant rarely blooms in the home environment. If this happens, small flowers form that gather in inflorescences. The reason is that insects do not pollinate the plant in such quantities as in the natural environment.
Predator growing problems, diseases and pests
Growing problems arise only due to improper care. This plant has few pests, since Nepentes is a predatory plant. Of the diseases distinguished:
- Fungal. May appear from errors in watering and high humidity. Specks may appear on the leaves. Fungicides help with the treatment.
- Insufficient lighting leads to leaf diseases.
- Dry leaves are a sign of insufficient humidity in the room.
- If the leaves turn red, direct sunlight falls on them, and this is a sign of sunburn.
- Yellow leaves are a sign of malnutrition.
Important! Diseases are the result of improper plant care. It is important to monitor its condition and the slightest changes on the leaves and flowers.
Diseases are the main cause of plant death
Nepentes will be a wonderful home plant for lovers of unusual flowers. Nepentes home care is not the easiest, but if done correctly, there will be no problems with the grow, and the plant will delight the owner with a unique look.
