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Pitcher Plant Water
Name: BRANDON HENDERSON
Status: student
Age: 15
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 3/4/2004
Question:
I HAVE JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEPEHTES COCCINEA, AND
THE DIRECTIONS SAID TO FILL THE PITCHERS WITH EITHER RAIN WATER OR
DISTILLED WATER. WELL, ON THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE LOOKED UP ON, I HAVE
READ THAT THE FLAP IS THERE TO KEEP THE WATER OUT. IF THESE PLANTS EAT
AND DIGEST SMALL BUGS, WHY DO I HAVE TO PUT WATER IN THE PITCHERS? I LIVE
IN FLORIDA, AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO KEEP THE PLANT IN THE HOUSE, OR
TO SET IT OUTSIDE IN A COOL, OUT-OF-THE-SUN PLACE. IS IT NECESSARY FOR
THE PLANT TO HAVE THE BUGS AND THE WATER, OR DOES THE WATER ACT TO TRAP
THE BUGS?
Replies:
These plants produce their own fluids within the pitchers. The pitchers attract insects and the plants produce digestive enzymes. The plants themselves (i.e., the growing medium) should be watered with distilled or rain water. Recommended environmental conditions include high humidity, warm temperatures, and bright light but not direct sun.
For more information, the following might be helpful:
http://www.sarracenia.com/faq.html
http://www.pitcherplant.com/care_sheets/nepenthes_care.html
http://www.cpjungle.com/nepenthesuniversity.htm
http://www.carnivorousplants.org/cpn/samples/Science292Digest.htm
Also a Nepenthes discussion board:
http://forum.happenchance.com/
Anthony Brach, Ph.D
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Update: June 2012
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