Content
- Which substrate is suitable for Nepenthes (pitcher plants)?
- So the substrate must be for Nepenthes
- From these materials you mix substrate yourself
- Controversial as a substrate is sphagnum
- Create drainage in the pot
- Fertilize sparingly
- Tips
The substrate for the Nepenthes can also be mixed together
Which substrate is suitable for Nepenthes (pitcher plants)?
Pitcher plants should never be placed in normal garden soil or potting soil. Such soils contain too many nutrients and also thicken too much. At the hardware store or garden center you can buy special carnivorous soil. Substrate for Nepenthes can also be mixed together.
So the substrate must be for Nepenthes
From these materials you mix substrate yourself
For all materials, it is important that they stay airy for as long as possible and do not stick together. They also need to be low in nutrients, as Nepenthes rots and ingests too much nutrients.
The basis is peat, especially white peat, suitable. The substrate should be at least half peat. To ensure sufficient relaxation, you can mix in small polystyrene balls.
Since pitcher plants need sufficient moisture, water-storing materials should also be added. For this, gravel, expanded clay, quartz sand and coconut fibers are suitable.
Controversial as a substrate is sphagnum
Sphagnum is the technical term for peat moss. It is often dried to get in the specialized trade. Some experts swear by simply putting Nepenthes on Sphagnum. However, peat moss must not be mixed with peat, as the substrate then sticks too fast.
In order to grow Nepenthes on peat moss, you should definitely create a drainage layer in the pot, so that the roots of the pitcher plant never stand permanently in the water.
Create drainage in the pot
Waterlogging does not get waterlogging at all. Therefore, make sure there is a large drain hole in the bottom of the pot. Cover larger pebbles so that the hole does not clog.
Drainage in the pot is recommended. To do this, fill the lower part of the vessel with coarse pebbles or aquarium sand and only then fill the Nepenthes substrate.
Fertilize sparingly
Whichever substrate you use, make sure that you do not overfertilize the pitcher plant. Rare economical gifts of orchid fertilizer are sufficient but not essential.
In addition, you should repot Nepenthes regularly and provide the plant with new substrate.
Tips
If mixing carnivorous soil is too much of a hassle for you, just use lightly fertilized orchid soil. It is usually cheaper than Spezialerde. Just make sure that the material stays nice and relaxed.