The last 31 days my camera has sat in the same place collecting dust. However, that’s not to say I haven’t been using it. The camera has been taking 1 picture every hour for 24 hours a day of Nepenthes saguinea, a tropical pitcher plant. Growing carnivorous plants has been a hobby of mine for 7 years now. During that time I had always wondered what it looks like when they grow, and it was that question I set out to answer. The video below demonstrates the growth of the plant. Watch as its frills unfurl, water forms in the bottom, and it sways and swells :).
Nepenthes saguinea is native to Malaysia where it grows from 300-1800 meters elevation (Source : Wikipedia). The pitchers of the plant captures bugs which cannot climb its steep and slippery walls. The plant in the video is a cutting from a large mother plant; the cutting is now 2.5 years old. The mother plant was purchased in 2007 and has traveled with me from Minnesota, to Wisconsin, to Maine, and now to Alaska. Certainly, I’ve learned a lot about them along the way. For instance, in Fairbanks the sap forms long threads which was not observed in other states. Also, the mature mother plant vines once it reaches about 4 years old, and it’s at that point that cuttings can be easily made. For the most part these plants are easy to take care of. The most important piece is that the soil never dries out. Rather than being chained to my plant like it’s a dog or cat, I have recently built a watering system which pours water on the plant twice per week. There’s a lot of peace of mind knowing the plants are watered when I’m gone on vacation!
This blog has actually prompted me to look back for pictures of the plants for comparison. It’s amazing to look at the difference in the plants from 6 years ago. How about some before and after? The frills of the sagnuinea seem diminished on the larger pitchers today. Also, the frills are non-existent on the newest truncata pictures.
Nepenthes Saguinea 6 years before and after
Nepenthes truncata 6 years before and after
If you want to know more about growing carnivorous plants leave a comment below, I’ll tell you what I learned about growing them! The plants can serve great functions in your house. In particular, sundews are great for removing a fruit fly population, and the pitcher plants will snag lots of wasps!
WOW! I love it! I had no idea these could even be grown indoors.
Yup! That’s actually the catchline of the breeder I got them from, Sarracenia Northwest. “Whether it’s a Venus flytrap, a sundew, or pitcher plant, you can grow beautiful carnivorous plants for your home and garden. They’re easy to grow, and we’ll show you how.”. They take a little dedication and some light 🙂
I just emailed Jess and told her to read your blog post, but now I see she already has. If you had these plants in your dorm room, did you have them before you graduated from PHS? There are many curious people in our world, but most don’t take the time or expend the energy to find the answers. It’s fun to follow someone who does.
Thanks Sandy! I actually got these my Sophomore year in college. Kass actually got me my first ones, and it’s been a blooming hobby (duh dun tsh) ever since then.
That was fun to watch, Ian! Are the sap-cicles still sticky or have the same properties as when the sap was in droplets? Just curious. It makes the pitcher look like an old man:) They are some very well-traveled plants!
The sap-sicles get firm and lose their stickiness. Not sure how that affects their ability to attract bugs!