Viewing post #2027944 by dyzzypyxxy

You are viewing a single post made by dyzzypyxxy in the thread called Carnivorous companion plants for orchids.
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Jul 21, 2019 9:08 PM CST
Name: Elaine
Sarasota, Fl
The one constant in life is change
Amaryllis Tropicals Multi-Region Gardener Orchids Master Gardener: Florida Irises
Herbs Region: Florida Vegetable Grower Daylilies Birds Cat Lover
Lisa, I grow most of my orchids inside my pool cage (screened enclosure around my pool) and I have two fairly large Nepenthes (pitcher plants) also inside the cage. They do seem to help keep down the thrips that get in through the screening, and certainly are eating lots of no-see-ums for me.

I'm not sure where you'd order a Nepenthes from, since I got mine at Lowe's here a few years ago now. I'll ask around. Not a good time of year to be ordering plants online, though. Hot weather is very risky for shipping.

Their only requirement is regular water, and that water must be distilled or rain water, not tap water or well water because the enzymes in the pitchers that digest the bugs are killed by chlorine, or also by minerals in well water (found that out the hard way).

They're nice plants and fairly easy care. If I keep them warm on our few cold nights here, they keep growing slowly and putting on new pitchers all winter. Not really sure how they'd fare as indoor house plants for you, since their main source of nutrients is the bugs they consume, and if they took care of all the bugs in your house, you might have to go find some for them. Hilarious! Angel Shrug!
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Elaine

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." –Winston Churchill

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