How to Care for a Nepenthes Bicalcarata

Nepenthes bicalcarata bares its fangs above a deep pitcher designed to drown and digest its prey. Its nectar attracts creatures to the trap's slippery lips. Once the live meal falls into the trap, the cup's smooth sides prevent its escape. The plant exudes digestive juices to break down the meal and make use of the body's nitrogen, an element lacking in its original tropical habitat. In the wild, Nepenthes bicalcarata grows thick vines more than 10 yards long and can capture frogs and sometimes rodents, according to an article with scientist Barry Rice at the University of California Davis Botanical Conservatory.

Nepenthes Bicalcarata
Large terrarium or aquarium with a transparent lid, such as Plexiglas, with air holes
Acidic growing medium such as peat, or sphagnum moss and perlite
Blood worms

Instructions

- 1
  Provide the Nepenthes with an acidic growing medium and humidity. Use a large terrarium or aquarium with at least 4 inches of peat moss.
- 2
  Situate the terrarium in bright, filtered light, such as 2 to 3 feet away from a south-facing window with a sheer curtain. Don't put the terrarium right next to the window to avoid excessive temperature fluctuations and the risk of cooking the plant in hot sunlight through glass.
- 3
  Keep the peat moist, but don't saturate it. Mist the Nepenthes regularly, such as ever one to two days, to provide more humidity, especially in hot weather. It's normal for the pitchers to collect water. If condensation collects on the terrarium glass, open the lid partway for an hour or longer to reduce the moisture.
- 4
  Feed the Nepenthes bicalcarata traps a 1/2 inch of blood worm every two to four weeks once the traps mature. For example, start feeding them when the pitcher is 1 1/2 to 2 inches long.

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