Facts on Nepenthes Rafflesiana

Care and Nutrients

• Nepenthes rafflesiana plants are native to the tropical lowlands in Borneo, Malaysia, Singapore and Sumatra. They require bright but diffused sunlight and a growing medium that permits complete drainage. Although these plants thrive in humid conditions, allowing them to stand in water compromises their health and can kill them. Mix 60 percent long-fiber sphagnum moss and 40 percent perlite for a good growing medium. Pot your N. rafflesiana plants in pots with good drainage such as orchid pots. Fertilize N. rafflesiana by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of fertilizer with 1/4 teaspoon of acidic plant food in one quart of bottled water. Mix thoroughly and sprinkle the fertilizer solution over each plant. Fertilize your N. rafflesiana plants once a month or as needed.

Climate conditions

• Nepenthes rafflesiana plants prefer temperatures between 75 and 95 F, but can survive cooler nights if not exposed to frost. N. rafflesiana should not be located in direct sun because that will damage the pitchers and other parts of the plant. Hobbyists frequently grow these plants in terrariums with full-spectrum lighting. This allows for regulating the temperature and humidity and contains insects lucky enough to escape N. rafflesiana's pitchers. These plants can also be grown in greenhouses or outdoors in climates providing consistently sufficient temperatures and humidity.

Live Food

• N. rafflesiana plants lure insects to their pitchers by exuding a sweet nectar that collects in the pitchers. This liquid digests the insects that enter the pitcher. Feeding your N. rafflesiana plants insects is not usually necessary, but they can be fed flies or other small insects trapped alive. Avoid feeding your N. rafflesiana plants mammalian meat regardless of their size. N. rafflesiana plants are not equipped to digest meat, which will putrefy within the plants' pitchers and cause a foul odor. Nepenthes plants might die as the result of bacteria growing from indigestible meat particles.

Carnivorous Plant Hobby

• Enthusiasts of carnivorous plants might become collectors of multiple varieties of Nepenthes and other carnivorous plants. Clubs dedicated to carnivorous plants have scheduled meetings and sponsor sales and exhibitions of N. rafflesiana, Venus fly traps, and less common types of carnivorous plants. The advantage of connecting with collectors of carnivorous plants include establishing sources of cuttings and new plants as well as learning from established keepers of N. rafflesiana and related plants. Online suppliers of carnivorous plants also sell supplies such as potting mediums, pots, and live food for carnivorous plants.