Help! Stems drying out! (with pictures)
 

Hi everyone,

I apologize about the newbie double post but I realized the links to the pictures in my last post didn't work. I'll try to downsize to bullet points.

THE SITUATION:
- first time pitcher plant owner, purchased ~6 months ago
- grew brilliantly from two main plants (separated into two pots - each one now has a main and two baby plants)
- no change in watering or sunlight exposure

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8256/8...019c0d64_z.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8538/8...2300495a_z.jpg

THE PROBLEM(S):
1. I noticed bottom leaves and stem on one plant is drying out/dying

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8259/8...bf31a2bd_b.jpg

I cut off the dead leaves but you can see the brown and the cuts from the dead leaves. I'm worried the roots have died and are slowly drying up the plant. Does anyone know potential causes of this? Should I propagate it? Repot it? Change watering habits/location?

2. And I'm not sure if this is related but there are clear, hard droplets on the stem/leaves of the main (same) plant. They look like drops of water but are hard to the touch.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8...14c2943f_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/8...253aeaf2_c.jpg

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Re: Help! Stems drying out! (with pictures)
 

Welcome to the forum. You have nothing to worry about. The stems become woody as they age and that is what you have shown in the photo's. As for the droplets, they look like something excreted from the plant. Many plants use this type of thing to attract prey. I would not be worried about it. Just keep an eye out for fungal attacks such as sooty mould that may become a problem. I wouldn't expect it but better safe then sorry. Cheers.

Re: Help! Stems drying out! (with pictures)
 

Thank you, strath76! That definitely puts my mind at ease.

Based on the size of it, do you think I should do a cutting on the main plant?
It's grown out quite a ways and I'm concerned it's getting too heavy/would be better off being propagated.

Re: Help! Stems drying out! (with pictures)
 

If you would like more plants then it is certainly big enough to take cuttings off. I wouldn't be concerned about the weight/length of it. It won't do it any damage either way.

Re: Help! Stems drying out! (with pictures)
 

Great! Thanks again, Strath76.

Re: Help! Stems drying out! (with pictures)
 

It is probably the end of its life coming near.

Re: Help! Stems drying out! (with pictures)
 

That's nothing wrong with your plant, don't worry. Probably you need to provide higher humidity to get it to pitcher for you. What species is this?