Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

Hi,

Its my first year growing neps and i have some questions. During winter my plants stopped pitchering which seemed normal as they dont have a lot of light. Now in the springtime they have started pitchering again but it seems that not all parts of the plant have started to pitcher. On some plants the basal shoot is pitchering fine but the motherplant isnt. On another plant (a maxima) a side shoot on the main plant has started pitchering but not the main shoot of the plant. Also i have a couple of young plants (only about 10-20cm in diameter) and these are also pitchering. All these plants are subjected to the same conditions.
Is it normal that small neps, basal shoots and side shoots tend to start pitchering sooner than the "mother" plant or is something wrong with my setup?
Most of the neps are highland types or intermediates.

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

Hi, i think nothing wrong with your plant, for me it always happen.. that's because the mother plant giving "all energy" to the young one. Concentrated, focused on the young one. usually even the mother plant pitchering, the pitcher will be smaller than before..

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

My 2 Hookerianas were producing monster pitchers and suddenly decreased in size....guess what they are making basals.

I agree with dontknowhy.

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

Would it help if i gave the plant some more bugs to eat? I have dried shrimp turtle food which they seem to like. Maybe if i give them enough nutrients the motherplant will have enough energy for the basals and herself.
Would giving them stale coffee help? Ive read on several forums that it gives them a boost in growth without overfeeding them (which prevents them from pitchering).

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

I'm not sure.. I always let them grow naturally.. when the time is right, the pitcher size will be back to normal again..

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

Yes,i saw that in one of the forum too.They were using some kinda coffe + water but i rather not try.

I saw people using coconut water for their neps and the neps seems to like it.

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

Come to think of it, I have one veitchii pink not pitchering. Maybe I can use that as my test subject hahaha...*biggrin2*

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

@funkychips: Just sharing what I did to my once stuck veitchii pink, I change to basket like pot, then using a coarse media (coco chips, perlite, charcoal, a little bit of chopped spaghnum moss and pine barks). And moving the plant to receive only direct morning sun from 7:00 am till 10:00 am and throughout the day only getting very bright light and as for watering I let it dry out before the next watering so this depends on weather. Veitchii don't like it wet so I also covered the roof so not getting rain water directly just a splash when raining heavily and windily. (very easy when using the coco chips, the color is different when wet and dry). Just another alternative tips for you.

Ed

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

Hi Ali..I have a hookeriana which has always not done well for me but now it bounced back and its making some nice pitchers.....If can i shall try to post here tomorow..Anyways i don't think a basal on hardy plants like hookeriana will cause it to cease pitchering or slow down..My hookeriana has 3-4 basals and all are pitchering...

Ken

Re: Big plant not pitchering but small ones do
 

If the main growth is reluctant to pitcher, then your best bet is to rely on any basals for having the most vigorous growth and largest pitchers. I think this is because new growths get most of the energy and they also form stronger vascular systems.