So, as the title suggests, I've been noticing a few pitchers on what should be pretty forgiving plants ( densiflora x ventricosa in particular) have been opening too early. My plants grow in 80-90% humidity 75degree days, 50 degree nights, on a 16 hour photoperiod. Part of me thinks maybe the photoperiod is too long but I wanted to get some opinions. It's frustrating to watch a new pitcher for weeks only to have it pop before its fully developed!! Any help would be appreciated.
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Prematurely popping pitchers
- Thread starter dionysos86
- Start date
Api
Happy hour..
They are in a terrarium but I have eggcrate elevated pretty close to the lights so everyone gets the same amount. I just added a new 2 lamp t5 fixture as I begin upgrading my lighting, so now they're under 4 t8s and 2 t5s.
Does anyone else use a 16hr photoperiod successfully? The only thing I can think is that it's too long for neps and that maybe I'm pushing them too hard.
Does anyone else use a 16hr photoperiod successfully? The only thing I can think is that it's too long for neps and that maybe I'm pushing them too hard.
I do. Mine are under t8's and cfl's. I run them approx 15.5-16.5 hours a day. No complaints from the plants. For a few months I ran them even longer, also no complaints from the plants.
JB_OrchidGuy
Cardiac Nurse
mato
BANNED
I think the key bit of information here is "misting several times a day." You are creating a major fluctuation in humidity that may not be consistent from day-to-day. If one pitcher has been consistently misted more than others while developing and then, perhaps, you don't hit this same pitcher quite as much or forget to mist, the lid may open prematurely. Although I mentioned humidity, the real issue is conditional changes. Almost every example of pitchers opening prematurely that I have seen result in changes of some kind, whether due to repotting, moving the plant, or abnormal fluctuations in humidity or temperature.
As JB and Don mentioned, the frequency at which you water the plants, coupled with misting and high humidity, could be causing issues with water absorption. Is there any sign of yellowing on the lamina? Do you grow your plants in an enclosure or an open area? If your plants are being kept this wet around the roots and shoot, while being kept in an enclosed system without CO2 supplementation, it is much more difficult for the plant to assimilate photosynthetic carbon and therefore pull water through the xylem tissue via transpiration. Your plant is essentially surrounded by more water than it can use and will divert its energy to more pressing issues than pitcher production.
As JB and Don mentioned, the frequency at which you water the plants, coupled with misting and high humidity, could be causing issues with water absorption. Is there any sign of yellowing on the lamina? Do you grow your plants in an enclosure or an open area? If your plants are being kept this wet around the roots and shoot, while being kept in an enclosed system without CO2 supplementation, it is much more difficult for the plant to assimilate photosynthetic carbon and therefore pull water through the xylem tissue via transpiration. Your plant is essentially surrounded by more water than it can use and will divert its energy to more pressing issues than pitcher production.
Plant Planter
The Most Uncreative Name in the History of Ever
This is happening to my poor little "Cupped Trap" plant. Obviously, one or more horticultural practices is in error. You must fix it/them. Anyhow, if light is your problem, might I mention that Nepenthes generally like much less light than other carnivorous plants? The rainforests that they come from are greatly shaded by the canopy, and the only light that gets through is greatly diffused. However, if many others are having success bathing their plants with light, then something else is wrong.
Honestly I think May have been overreacting to something that was more of an exception than a common occurrence. I think the plant was adjusting to fertilization and upgraded lighting as all my plants seem to be doing well now. I think part of my CP disease is being hyper-vigilant and worrying a little bit too much. Like mato said I think it happens more when plants are adjusting, ie when a new plant arrives with a developing pitcher that opens a bit early, etc.
