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Nepenthes are found in diverse habitats from Madagascar and India to northern
Australia, New Caledonia, and the Philippines. The areas with the most species in
the most diverse habitats are Borneo, Sumatra, and Malaysia. They are found on
beaches, in hot steamy jungles, and cold wind-blown ridge tops. Different species
grow in sand, acid bogs, or alkaline volcanic soils. Some species like intense
sun while others are at home in dense shade.
Growing Nepenthes from seed is quite challenging. It is recommended that beginners
start with inexpensive tissue culture plants. When you can keep them alive
and healthy for a few years, you might want to then think about growing Nepenthes from seed. The instructions below are for "typical" lowland Nepenthes that
are relatively easy to grow. Robert Sacilotto wrote an article for CPN describing
how to successfully grow
highland Nepenthes from seed.
Nepenthes seeds of species commonly grown should be started on
chopped live sphagnum moss in very damp but not wet conditions.
If the sphagnum starts to overgrow the seeds, pinch it back with a forceps.
If you use dried long fibered sphagnum instead, you may rehydrate it with boiling
water to sterilize it somewhat. If you cook it too much, the moss breaks
down and molds very easily when it is eventually contaminated.
Surface sow the seed very sparingly. It is best to spray the sown
seed with a fungicide such as Clearies 3336. Clearies 3336 will
not help with damping off but will help keep the seeds from molding.
Cover the pots or place them in plastic bags in warm, 32°C
(90°F) plus temperatures. They should be in light shade or under
fluorescent lights. Germination can take from 4 weeks to almost
a year. The fresher the seed, the stronger the seedlings and higher
the germination rate.
Most seedling Nepenthes are lost soon after germination. For the
best survival rate, transplant seedlings on the week of germination.
If transplanted with care and spaced about 1 to 2 cm apart in live
sphagnum, fungus and desiccation problems are greatly reduced.
Transplant seedlings as they just begin to overgrow each other
or their pots. Short day periods and cool temperatures are the most dangerous for
the plants. Try too keep them warm and humid but not stagnant and wet. |
