Growing NEPENTHES Pitcher Plants Effortlessly: 15 Facts that DEBUNK the MYTHS!

[@ssavage987]

Your videos on pitcher plants have really inspired me to get one. They're so pretty and fascinating. Hopefully they'll bring down the mosquito population in my backyard.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Great to hear! I hope they grow well for you.😁

[@sarahcristel5877]

I got a pitcher plant from my country's version of home depot, so it was in pretty rough shape, and it had no name on it! The pitchers were all dead (there are some buds growing now) so I have no idea what kind I got! I just felt so bad for it I had to give it a chance

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Glad to hear it's bouncing back, Sarah! Perhaps you should start a rescue service for neglected Nepenthes...😁

[@waynerichards2944]

Did you mange to keep it alive?

[@sarahcristel5877]

@@waynerichards2944 yes. Also named it Michael

[@uriahlegutki2257]

Give update please

[@ramonafrances4364]

Like me, you are such a softy. Enjoying uncovering the mystery of your new pet.

[@michellem9392]

Excellent video that answered all of my questions about my Pitcher plant. Thank you very much!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Glad it was helpful!

[@a_fred42]

This video has helped me better understand my nepenthes! Thank you so much!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I'm so glad! Good luck with your Neps!

[@MangroveWorld]

Nepenthes are fun to grow! Mine even caught a roach before.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I love them too. Shame they're so expensive in the UK.

[@jeannebuschbach3617]

AGREE! They’re expensive here in the US, too!!

[@TheCarnivorousChronicles]

Yes finally another carnivorous plant video!!!😁😁😁😁

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

😂 Just for you!

[@weirdboyrox]

You have a lot of beautiful specimens!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks Henry!

[@jordanhennessy671]

one of the best all round yt videos i’ve watched

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks Jordan! 😀

[@jfnuyen]

This was a great informative video on Nepenthes and you covered the pruning part as well. Thanks for all the information you put forth in this video as derived from your personal experiences with these plants.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it. 😁

[@IMHobby121]

So much great info! Thanks and God Bless! Also, I sure would appreciate it if you could show me exactly how to cut a basal for Nepenthes propagation.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks Jeff! Much appreciated. This video demo's exactly that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2jUaYKwq7ucoqs

[@helencriddle3651]

Very informative video. You're bringing me round to giving them a try!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

You should! Actually identical conditions to most orchids. 😁

[@Tommyr]

Good episode Geoff! VERY easy plants to grow and propagate as well. One thing to watch out for though, ANTS! Ants LOVE nepenthes nectar. Also they have fairly small roots systems as well. Easy to re-pot.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks Tom! Yeah I believe so - never had an issue with ants myself but I suppose if your kitchen is prone to them that could cause an issue! Maybe the Nepenthes would lure them all to their demise...

[@grannyplants1764]

Easy solution, put an ant plant -Myrmecodia beccarii- near Nepenthes 😂 they’re wonderful plants, mine never got ants though ! 🌱

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

🤣

[@heathernicholson3080]

I have a Nepenthes Alata. Great on the windowsill. Produced lots of pitchers. Put it in my garden it grew fast but produced no pitchers. UK. The pitchers that it did have devastated the nearby ant nest

[@dorindafulton]

Great video 😊 thanks for sharing this info 😊 I had one a long time ago and it died. I was thinking about getting another one and now I will. I'll make a video of it when I get it home. Thanks for your help. I'm saving your video so I don't mess up this time 😂. Have a great day and happy gardening 🌿🌱😊🤗

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Excellent - pleased to have helped. Good luck with your Neps!

[@vixey4728]

highly informative thank you! I really appreciate your work and for making the video

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Glad it was helpful! And I really appreciate those lovely comments.😁

[@grannyplants1764]

Geez Geoff, I was just reading Peter’s book yesterday, best out there. Mine is well worn, I did not know he had a revised edition. I bought a small Venus fly trap out of desperation for something ( there are no decent plant places here, inc box stores, all horrible). For $6 we’ll see. Ever since seeing Dom’s videos at Red Leaf Exotics and Florae up in NY I will be getting a Nepenthes, but am still doing research. I do know I want a highland one. Like ‘Candy Dreams’. 💵💰💵 this video was just great, brought me closer to getting one. I really don’t want to get one online. I’m hoping with a couple of nurseries opening soon they will have some. I will definitely let you know. Oh and I forgot how cool the Drosera and sarracenia are, seeing what you have reminded me. I can get those next month when Rutgers University has their annual greenhouse sale. Thinking back to previous sales they didn’t put out Nepenthes, but they have them.. bet I can special order one, I used to help with greenhouse tours. See what you’ve done, now I’m all carnivorous plants excited!! 🤣🌿😁🌱😊🪴

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I've had 'Candy Dreams' on my wishlist for years - no chance of landing one over in the UK! Plus they're stupidly expensive. I'd love anything with veitchii in it but again - although there are some available over here they're expensive for very small, immature plants. I've just ordered a couple of new Drosera and I'm hoping for more over summer. Same with Nepenthes - once the utility bills come down - if that ever happens! Just paid over £700 for February...😫

[@grannyplants1764]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 no chance affording ‘Candy Dreams’ anywhere in the world! You have inspired me big time….😊🌱💸

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Very happy to hear that! I've actually inspired myself too 🤣 - I've ordered another Nepenthes, and am going to propagate all my basal shoots so that I can do some swaps with other UK growers.😁

[@Bobby11083]

@@Grow_Up_Man55can you order from the EU or is it too expensive since Brexit? If so Germany has a couple of very good/famous growers, though you probably know already!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@Bobby11083 Yeah alas Brexit has meant all imports carry stupidly high fees so that rules it out unfortunately. There's scotland carnivores who are pretty good in terms of range but again, fairly expensive - although I suppose they can be if no-one else sells this stuff. can't say I blame them - they're just too much for me at present. I wish a few more viewers would be up for doing swaps! Everybody wins!

[@javierarroyo7887]

Im glad all of mine are intermediate hybrids. I live on the treasure coast of florida and currently humidity is at 50% but its around 75°f. I have all of mine in my porch on a bookshelf in the corner where its bright. Cant wait till they get big as 2 of 3 I just got are xs in size. Great video👍

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah there are some awesome hybrids out there. Pity they're so expensive over here though.

[@CooperBern]

what was the website you were scrolling through with all the pitcher plants after the intro

[@CooperBern]

also my pitcher plant never finishes growing its pitchers like they don't even get big enough for the leaf on top to open, why is that?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

It was hantsflytraps in the UK.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

It's likely you're missing one or more of the key growth factors that they need to produce pitchers. Light is the biggest factor. For the others, watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4jVnHZ8l8ikjZY

[@MrSonoru]

Regarding your point on humidity, I have a N. Hookeriana and I was told it needs humidity levels close to 80%. Humidity in my apartment is around 30-40%. I've been keeping it in a dome but I wonder how it will do without it

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

In my experience the light you'll gain from taking it out of the dome will offset the humidity you'll lose. I've also spoken to commercial Nepenthes growers who downplay the role of humidity. However, you'll need to ensure the media doesn't dry out at any point!

[@w_carnivorous5620]

Great video!!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thank you! 😀

[@Finkeldinken]

Oh, dear...YOU GOT ME! I think I might actually have to get me one of these! I think I can give it a good home with the natural parameters in my small apartment. Fingers crossed I stumble upon one over summer somewhere :)

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I knew I should be selling them! 🤣 Hopefully you won't regret it - they're weird and wonderful!

[@Finkeldinken]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 don't worry - if I get one, I'll be pestering you with questions! 😅

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I like to be pestered! 😃🤣

[@lilianichols9520]

I love Nepenthes! This video was great and now thanks to you I know more about this beautiful plant!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

You are so welcome!

[@katherinenightingale2205]

Is artesian well water ok?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

It depends. You're looking for water with zero nutrients or minerals - to replicate what they get in their natural habitat. The only way to know for sure is to check it with a TDS meter. My prediction is that it'll be too full of dissolved solids. Quickest, cheapest method is to use rain water.

[@ExplosiveLandmine]

May I ask how you would keep the nepenthes plant drooped low? I like them better looking short with the pitchers positioned low around where the bottom of the pot, while the pot is hanged rather than it having an erect stem.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

You can't do anything about how long the plant grows its tendrils - that's down to the plant. Maybe you could look for a hybrid that keeps them small. Tomato plant pots are great for displaying Nepenthes pitchers.

[@jszal9075]

Do you add water to the pitchers?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Funny you should ask that, as I just happen to have a video dedicated to that exact question! Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5y9hGWMmrCZbq8

[@scottbeaumont7286]

Hi how long roughly does it take for a bud to develope into a pitcher on an adult plant ?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

If all goes well it should only take a few days. Very dependent on conditions and the specific hybrids though.

[@scottbeaumont7286]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 thanks for your reply nepenthes gaya , budding left right and centre just taking a long time to develope the conditions are as they should be acording to resurch

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

That’s an easy going hybrid. Try increasing the light as that’s always a strong growth factor.

[@sean2val]

I plant mine in orchid mix and use tap water and fertilize with seaweed and they grow great i live in Brisbane Australia and grow them outdoors

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah they’ll grow in wide range of media unlike some other carnivorous plants.

[@sean2val]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 I have found them to be the best plant to grow in my area and the most forgiving

[@annadaccione332]

my nepenthes broke a stem when it fell during a windy spell, I have had it in water for approx 5 weeks, it is still green but no roots, how can I save this piece of plant?? I keep changing the water (rain) but still not a sign of roots. will it die? any help would be welcome. thank you in advance

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Nepenthes cutting are like cuttings from most other plants - they'll root fairly easily in a variety of media. My preference is sphagnum moss - but other methods work too. Water isn't my favourite! This short video shows you exactly what to do and how to do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2jUaYKwq7ucoqs

[@philcam9493]

How bright are the nepenthes in the green house? PPFD please and thank you.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I’m afraid I’m unable to give you a definitive answer to that question. Not only will this be different for each plant depending on where it’s positioned in the greenhouse, but it’ll change for all of them depending on the season, the time of day and the weather! I can tell you I use Mars Hydro TS1000 lights, so you can go and look up its output, but I also use cheaper no-brand lights and a strip light. And the amount of light from the Mars Hydro that actually falls on each plant depends on how close it is to the plant, and whether any of it bleeds away to the sides. Light is complex. I don’t claim to fully understand it all yet but I’m working on it. As a rule of thumb for nepenthes, generally the more intense light, the better - but if it’s through glass you need to be careful with full sun - they’ll turn red and burn.

[@ssavage987]

Do you have any sarracenias? Can you do a video comparing them to nepenthes?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I used to but squirrels dug them up (they were in pots) and exposed the roots. They dried out before I had a chance to save them. They're even easier to grow than Nepenthes as they can take frost. The only thing to remember is to never let them dry out - my failing on that particular occasion! But sometimes (frequently!) work gets in the way...

[@sarahscunnin1009]

I'm new to these wonderful plants and I live in Maine. Just bought a small one online and I'm curious to see how I do growing it. It definitely had some travel shock when I received it but now it seems to be doing better and the largest pitcher is opening up, has even caught a fruit fly or two and I threw a small spider I killed in it. The other pitcher has a tear in the bottom and the top looks like it's still sealed to the pod itself. Is it possible that pod will heal itself? It hasn't worsened since I received it a week ago... Oh and it-s already developing at least one new pod! I'm so excited to see how it does... Winter is coming though, and winters in Maine can be tough... I guess I will have to wait and see! I have a heat pad and a grow lamp, also have windows that get lots of sun.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

If it's a hybrid and you have it in the house then I expect it'll be fine through your winter. However, a species, especially if it's a lowland species won't like lower temperatures. You can Google the one you have and find out how low it'll go - there is quite a range depending on individual plants. And no I don't expect it'll repair a tear - I'd cut it off and then it'll start working on new ones. Give it as much light as possible all through the year - not direct sun through glass though. Good luck!

[@kathymacomber5115]

Love your content

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks Kathy that means a lot! 😀

[@vsocarras27]

Hi my temperate carnivorous plants like the flytrap and sarracenia do well here in Miami Florida I want to let you know because of what you said on my earlier climate the coldest it gets here is 14C to 18C or 58F to 65F

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah some plants can tolerate dormancy or lack of dormancy better than others. I have tropical Hippeastrum that don’t naturally go dormant, yet are routinely put into dormancy over here to stimulate Xmas flowering. Likewise I have some Cyclamen that should go dormant, keep blooming all year round.

[@Felspring]

Thank you for information. I have few nepenthes. Place i put them good bright not perfect. This can be problem for them ? They see 2 hour direct sun in winter.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Nepenthes love the light - as bright as possible. But...direct sun through glass 'could' be too much. You'll know if the leaves start to turn red. If not, it might be fine. If your Nepenthes aren't producing pitchers then it's possible you simply don't have them in enough light. This is only one aspect though. It's usually the cause, but not always!

[@Felspring]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 thank you. Summer time no problem more bright. Winter is maybe %50-70 bright. They grow 1-2 pitcher in winter. Do they need feed for grow healthy or fast?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yes definitely - feed them whenever they're unable to catch their own food. If that's indoors then do it all year round. Here's a playlist of all my Nepenthes videos which should answer all your questions: kzbin.info/aero/PLQKwmNwb1T5DQj7lehGcucdD-khRm6FXW @@Felspring

[@Felspring]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 thank you. I will watch. Is there a limit for feeding?

[@lillymoore4829]

What is name of the website you use to get yours

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I get most (not all) of my carnivorous plants from hantsflytraps (a UK company). I also get some from Scotland Carnivores.

[@sean2val]

that is true i bought a very small plant about 3 or 4 years ago and it has taken until now to get going and it is powering along now

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Good to hear it!

[@sean2val]

great channel by the way thanks for posting such good info @@Grow_Up_Man55

[@turogers13]

Thank you. Liked and joined.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Thanks and welcome! 😁

[@janetfederle8394]

This has been very helpful. I live in midwest USA and the temperature fluctuates a lot. Is it okay to hang my nepenthes outside and bring it inside from time to time? Or should I leave it in one place all the time?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Outside is fine - as much light and access to bugs as possible - without allowing it to get frosted of course.

[@alexanderurzua1866]

Do you need to have live moss at the base of the plants? I see most people with live moss at the base but I don’t have any on my new plants

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Not at all. Nepenthes are really tolerant of all sorts of media. I’ve got some in coconut husks, some in peat and some in moss. There are plenty of other mixtures they’ll grow happily in.

[@anvu2969]

How many lux does nepenthes need

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

This video explains it in more detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4XXh6yhe5uehpo Most Nepenthes would fall somewhere in the 'high light' category. Of course, LUX readings only tell part of the story - the wavelengths that make up the light they get also plays a major role.

[@Albie_yt]

How fast do these grow? I want one but i am very impatient

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

From very small they can take around five years to get to the really interesting size. Then growth speeds up considerably. The trick is to buy one around 4 years old already.

[@Albie_yt]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Ok thanks!

[@jamescottle3418]

really good video

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Glad you think so!

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

Savage Garden, they were a good band for a minute there in the 90's.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Truly Madly Deeply they were.

[@Bobby11083]

@@Grow_Up_Man55😂😂😂

[@ravingcyclist624]

I think there is also mystery novel. 🙂

[@vsocarras27]

Is Miami Florida a perfect place to grow Nepenthes I’m growing one indoors I’ll admit successfully also is Miami Florida climate better than UK climate in growing Nepenthes Miami Florida climate is exactly like the Caribbean

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I guess anywhere that doesn't have to cope with frost and low light levels for much of year is going to find growing tropical plants somewhat less of a challenge. Your problem would be trying to grow temperate plants that need a cold winter rest - such as snowdrops, daffodils and all the other thousands of temperate plants out there.🤷‍♂️

[@plbrooks94]

If my leaves are turning brown, does that mean they are getting too much sunlight?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yes, usually. They don't mind sun in nature - but through glass it's too intense - even with 85% shading on the sun turns my leaves black!

[@plbrooks94]

@TROPICAL PLANTS at 53 Degrees ok thank you. Mine has very large leaves (almost 5" wide, 14" long). It's on the patio but grows directly toward the light. However, some of them are tearing and getting brown spots. Had it for 4 months, and all of the pitchers would break off before they are 1" big. I have very many big leaves though.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@plbrooks94 If it's outside then I would check for thrips or spider mites. In nature they grow in wide open areas (I'm being very general here - there are exceptions) so yours should be OK with the sun.

[@NancyJackson-o6b]

What can I use to get rid of grasshoppers that are eating my pitcher plants? I prefer home remedies not chemicals.

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Not something I’ve ever had to deal with. How about some sort of physical barrier, like netting or wire mesh?

[@Starseagull]

I feel like my nepenthes proved you right on every point 😁

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Great to hear!😁

[@paraveterinary]

Thank you for this great Video. I have had pitcherplants for many years but after moving house I never had them again. I just bought one because I missed them 🙂They are almost Pets!

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Glad it was helpful! Also pleased to hear you're getting back into Neps!😁

[@frankjames7272]

Can you overfeed nepenthes?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I very much doubt it. They’ll simply abort any pitchers with too much in them. I’ve seen them do this very quickly if you put several osmocote pellets in one. Others may disagree!

[@meganwalker27]

💚💚💚

[@w_carnivorous5620]

Only problem with Nepenthes is that the really interesting ones are generally very hard to grow. E.g nepenthes villosa need strict ultra highland conditions or cold highland to conditions to survive

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Yeah I think that's probably true of any genus - the more you get into them the more interesting you find the unusual and rare ones. They're rare because they're difficult to grow in cultivation. I've found that with Begonias - been after several expensive varieties for months without success. Best if you can find a local and friendly collector who'll do you a few swaps. For carnivorous plants - I'm still on the lookout for that person!

[@w_carnivorous5620]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Ive built up quite the collection of carnivorous plants, I dont grow much else. Im even starting to sell some - In hopes of eventually starting up my own CP nursery - if you are interested in any additions to your collection, I have some for sale at the moment and some really rare ones available in the future. Im based in Surrey

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@w_carnivorous5620 Cool - where do you sell them from? EBay?

[@w_carnivorous5620]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 i sell them on Facebook and occasionally reddit at the moment. Im planning on launching a website later this year when ive got lots of stock 🙂

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@w_carnivorous5620 So how can I know what you're selling and what your prices are? Do you have a Facebook page?

[@queenofbeauty]

My nepenthes turned brown- i put liquid food and water in the pitcher incase they needed nutrients- eventually it died out

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

I find giving them a 'hearty meal' can fry pitchers - almost like they've over-fed and vcan't take any more! They should soon grow new ones. Just dilute it more next time.

[@queenofbeauty]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 I’ll have to buy a new one- I repotted the plant and it completely died- which one would you recommend?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@@queenofbeauty There are many excellent hybrids with a track record of easy care. Ones I've found particularly unassuming are Nep. gaya, Nep. venrticosa, Nep. burkeii, Nep. ventrata. As a rule of thumb, the cheaper it is the easier it is to grow!

[@deborahmurphy5316]

Why are your plant leaves yellow not green?

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

Not getting enough light. I live in the north of the UK which has cloud cover for most of the year - my greenhouse is also underneath two 250 year trees which shade it for most of the day. The grow lights help but they can't compete with the sun.

[@deborahmurphy5316]

@@Grow_Up_Man55 Thank you for sharing.Sorry to hear that, I live in Ontario,Canada my plant is doing well ,now that Imove it from the sunny south facing window .

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

@deborahmurphy5316 yeah you can over do it too especially through glass. They turn red then!

[@KRYoung_dev]

Thank you very much for the Fahrenheit conversion. I have a learning disability called 'being an American.' 😭

[@Grow_Up_Man55]

🤣 My pleasure!