Black leaves

[mad3448]

This fall, I moved my picture plant to the basement. It has a personal humidifier and grow lights. It was doing wonderful until the last few weeks. The leaves are turning black and rubbery. The last couple of times, I watered it before it was completely dry. Could this be the problem and will it recover?

[jdallas]

Probably none of the above. What kind of plant do you have? There is no "picture plant", so I assume you mean Pitcher Plant which could be one of many different kinds. Is it a Sarracenia? A Nepenthes? Do you have a photo of the plant? What kind of soil is it in? What kind of grow light do you have? What is your water source for watering? Has the plant ever been fertilized? A good photo would be the most help in helping readers help you with this plant.

Jeff

[mad3448]

Thank you for your response Jeff. The greenhouse I bought it at did not say what kind of pitcher plant it is. It is a hanging plant with the pitchers hanging down. It is growing in the soil that it had in the greenhouse which is a very loose soil. I bought two 65w. blue grow lights. I water it distilled water which I buy. I have not fertilized it but have given it some little crickets I bought for the pet store. I am new with this and can use all the help I can get. It did so well outside this summer and for about the last 3mos. in the basement.

[jdallas]

Hi Mad,

This is a type of Nepenthes, a Southeast Asian Pitcher Plant. Most of your issues are probably because of your lighting. If the growlights are the kind I think they are, they are the incandescent type (if they are hot, then this is what they are), they are not suitable for carnivorous plant growing. They are too hot, too deficient in blue light, and even though it may not seem like it, not bright enough. If you're going to have the plant just under artificial light for the winter, you would need either a larger Compact Fluorescent, fluorescent tube assembly such as shoplights, or a smaller Metal Halide. If you can combine a fluorescent light with natural window light, that is even better.

For the current time, cut off any dead leaves, and keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged. Nepenthes soil should always feel damp, but the plant shouldn't sit in water the way you might with bog carnivorous plant species. Here's a link on our website to a good outline on growing them: www.cobraplant.com/caresheets/nepenthes

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
www.cobraplant.com

[mad3448]

Thank you Jeff. I do have a Neoenthes. I moved it from the basement and artificial light to a South window. I expect things will improve there.