New plants are great, but a lot of Nepenthes only come in extra-small sizes. Many of the micropropagated plants from Andreas Wistuba and Borneo Exotics are only partially hardened and crucially, they lack healthy new root tips (but hey, they’re cheap!). First things first, an initial swabbing for pests and a repotting:
Two plants from Borneo Exotics: on the left, N. densiflora (G. Leuser); on the right, N. diatas (G. Bandahara). These closely related species from Sumatra demonstrate two different stages of hardness – the N. densiflora is larger, with thicker leaves and many healthy root tips, while the N. diatas has no roots and poor color. The best thing to do is some coddling:
A cup for humidity, carefully tilted to allow for some air exchange, and the plants are moved into the rack after their cursory observation period. Some results after one month:
It’s starting to look better already. One important thing to note is the pitcher:
This tiny first pitcher isn’t just cute – it’s an opportunity. I fed it with some crushed fish pellets for the boost it needs. I did this same technique with an equally minuscule BE N. lingulata, which worked splendidly:
In my low humidity setup, this is one of the best ways to jump start growth, although weaning the plant off of the cup isn’t always pretty! Results are best in a shaded or otherwise protected area, or your plants will be fried!
cantharifera 