Soil mishap...

[dilpickle]

I have just started down the carnivorous plant track and during my adventures on the internet i noticed that perlite is one of the main potting resources used in CP propogation.

So i went out and unknowingly bouthg fertilized Miracle Grow Perlite. I have so far only planted two plants in my soil mix (which includes the fertilized perlite) a VFT and a nepenthes ampularia.

I know i should probably repot the VFT but i read somewhere that nepenthes can tolerate a little fertilizer. Is this true or should i repot?

thx

[w03]

I'm only 13, and still a n00b, but here is some advice.

1. Yes, it is true that nepenthes can tolerate or even benefit from light fertilization, but the fertilizer must be of the right type, and is usually applied as a foliar spray - fertilizer in the soil will burn the roots. Overall, it is better to be safe than sorry, and steer clear of fertilizer if your are a beginner.

2. Yes, definitely repot your plant, as mentioned before, fertilizer will burn the roots of the nepenthes. In general, nepenthes like an open, well drained mix that is kept just moist, not wet. Waterlogging will cause root rot.

3. N. ampullaria is a lowlander, and it needs high temps and high humidity to survive. It also gets really big, and grows fast (if it's in the right conditions) and will probably need to be grown in a greenhouse and the like.

Hope this helps!

[dilpickle]

yeah thanks for the advice