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Basic Care
Instruction for Highland Nepenthes and Tropical Drosera Like other
carnivorous plants the water and planting mix is very important. Most Tropical Drosera are bog plants that
like a 60/40 mix of peat moss and perlite or agricultural sand. Their pots
need to sit in about an inch of water like other bog plants. Nepenthes like to
live in a well draining mix: Equal parts of New Zealand long fiber sphagnum
moss, redwood orchid bark, perlite, and lava rock. Most Highland Nepenthes
donÕt like to sit in water because they are prone to root rot, but never let
your soil mix dry out. Both types of
plants like to live in temperatures as low as 50 at night and up to 90
degrees during the day. 60%
humidity is recommended especially for Nepenthes to pitcher well. Their pots
should be made of plastic, wood or ceramic that is glazed on the inside and,
well draining. Where Drosera like
direct sunlight for at least 4 hours a day, Nepenthes like direct filtered
light for at least 8 to 12 hours. Both can be grown in a terrarium by a
bright sunny window, with grow lights or in a green house. Best results for
winter grow in a terrarium with lights set on for at least 12 hours. Since these plants
wonÕt have access to many bugs, weekly fertilization is a must. Sprinkling
dried red worms, which can be purchased from a pet store, on the dewy leaves
and in the pitchers works great. Recommended fertilizer are any orchid grow formula, a product
called ÒEpiphytes DelightÓ and
ÒMax SeaÓ can also be used. When using chemical fertilizer only use ¼
of the recommended amount per gallon of water. Using a spray bottle lightly
spritz Drosera leaves, too much will make them look burned. Nepenthes spray
on leaves and pitchers. A great resource
for info on carnivores is "The Savage Garden" by Peter DÕAmato,
which can be found at most local libraries and online here at Ebay. |