Signs of a happy Nepenthes?

[lee1dew]

If a Nepenthes is producing pitchers, is that a pretty good sign that it's happy with its growing environment or are there other better indicators?

 

[seedjar]

Pitchers usally mean the plant is doing OK, enough to expend energy to make pitchers for hunting. Most Nepenthes will pitcher in less than ideal conditions, so pitchers alone don't mean things are perfect. If you have a truly, profoundly happy plant, it will form droplets of sugary nectar on its leaves and tendrils to lure insects to the pitchers. Most healthy plants will secrete some nectar from the lid and lip of the pitcher, but really happy plants form trails of nectar from the base of the leaf all the way to the lips of the pitchers. I think that mature plants will flower regularly when they reach a certain size and conditions are good, too. And of course, quick growth is a sign of a happy plant; all species grow at different rates, but you'll notice that cool-growing highlanders will slow down when it warms up in the summer, and heat-loving lowlanders are likewise impeded in the dead of winter. Hope that helps. You should take a look at the CP FAQ Nepenthes guide for a good, thorough primer on Neps and their needs.
~Joe

 

[srduggins]

If each new leaf gets bigger, your plant is happy.

 

[nepenthes gracilis]

Lots of colorful developed pitchers, healthy green leaves and steady growth means a happy plant.