Saturday, November 14, 2009

When is it safe to feed nepenthes their first bugs?

I have a new pitcher on my plant and it is roughly 2 1/2 inches long. I'm almost positive it's Nepenthes Ventricosa, of the red sort. Any thorough care information would be much appreciated from a beginner!

When is it safe to feed nepenthes their first bugs?
Nepenthes are swamp plants that grow in nearly zero-nutrient bog (sphagnum moss) with high humidity and warm temperatures. They get their nutrients by digestion of small insects - protein but not fat. The only fatless organ is the heart. You might try crickets from the pet store or 50 mg pieces of heart. Cut up a chicken heart or whatever, freeze the tiny pieces in plastic wrap.





If you overfeed, the organ rots. This is true for Venus Flytraps as well. Go small.

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