NotFred

Great. That's what I'd hoped, just wanted a second opinion. Thanks

So, the short version: After repotting, my Nepenthes x Ventrata is growing well but has stopped producing pitchers. Any advice on how to encourage it to start again? The somewhat longer version; aka “the little Nep that could”: I have a Nepenthes X Ventrata (if you trust garden centre labels), which has been with me for 10+ years, and the history of which would probably keep other plants awake at night screaming. Initially bought when I was a student and had a room in which it did very well, it has now suffered through a succession of moves and temporary places where it has been subjected to various levels of low humidity, lack of water, low light, and general abuse. It’s persevered however, twice dying back to ground level before re-growing, once as two spreading vines and now as one central stem again, and has always managed to put out some pitches during the good times (which then go brown later on when it’s luck ran out again). The good news is, life for the plant should now calm down a bit, and it is in a permanent position in a small south facing window, in a bathroom which should hopefully provide some level of humidity as well. It had been there and been doing reasonably well for a year or so when I decided to re-pot it to a slightly larger container (and one with an in-built reservoir to aid watering regularity). This is a pic of the plant just after it’s repotting (with evidence of its prior neglect in the stubs of old leaves on the lower stem and half brown pitchers): Since repotting some 4-5 months ago, it’s shot up! It’s now go to the point I’m going to have to investigate some form of support for it and everything, definite progress. On the face of it, it appears to be doing extremely well, but with one caveat… no pitchers! Another pic below: So, does anyone have any advice on what has put it off producing pitchers? I’m hoping it’s a ‘wait and see’ type issue like re-potting shock or the fact that it’s winter. My fear though is that it’s something to do with the new container or the potting medium I’ve used (This stuff, for reference). Opinions appreciated! Additional question: Does anyone know what the white discolouration that appeared on the moss is likely to be? Initially it all sprang into life in a lovely green colour (see 1st pic), but has now turned white in patches. Sun bleaching? Mould? It’s not drastic but I’m hoping not a symptom of a wider issue.

Inspired by some of the other posts on this forum, I’d like to put together a small bog garden to grow… well as wide a variety of plants as will survive outside in the UK as possible. I suspect the right time to do this is spring time after any risk of frost has passed, but I’ll be planning and collecting materials over winter. I don’t have a suitable site in my garden for anything substantial, so I’m thinking of a mini-bog in a half barrel planter type thing, as seen in a few other threads. I also won’t be able to move it anywhere for the winter, so it will need to over winter in place, possibly with some form of covering if need be. I’ve come up with three potential designs, and would appreciate any feedback anyone can offer to help me pick between them. Thought so far are: Common design features: All bog ideas would be a half barrel planter, with a drainage tap at the base, and drainage holes nearer the top. Inside would be an upturned washing up bowl (with holes drilled and surrounded in peat) acting as a reservoir, with a pipe drilled into it to allow me to top up the bog. Very much an idea inspired by (or completely stolen from) this thread: Option 1: The simplest option would be to buy a plastic imitation planter, and construct it as above. This is the most basic design. Option 2: The same as option 1, but use a wooden planter. My thought there is that wood may provide a bit more thermal insulation around the base and sides of the planter, so help it overwinter a bit better. On the other hand, would the planter rot within a few years? Option 3: All singing all dancing option. A wooden planter, but instead of just using the planter line it and insulate it. The insulation could be a layer of sand, or I have also considered placing polystyrene tiles between the wood and the liner, increasing the insulation further. I’ve heard it isn’t great to mix polystyrene with bogs, but I’m thinking that as it’s separated by the liner this may be ok? My options feel like they get better as I go down the list, but I’m wondering if it’s worth the extra expense and effort in an attempt to better insulate the bog? To judge the winters it will be expected to see, I’m in the Hertfordshire area of the UK, so not too far north I hope. Thoughts are very welcome! I'll update this thread with decisions/designs/progress as I go.

Hello all! New member to the forum from the Hertfordshire area of the UK. I've finally decided I should get back into growing carnivorous plants as a serious hobby. I was previously very involved in this whilst at uni, and had quite a collection. Unfortunately the collection suffered during post-grad moving around, and I'm now down to only three survivors. I'm hoping to revitalise things somewhat, now that I should be staying in one spot for the foreseeable future.