How much does a pitcher plant cost per pot? Detailed growing method and precautions
The pitcher plant belongs to the tropical insectivorous plants. The inner surface of the lid of the pitcher body can secrete a fragrance to lure insects. Some people grow it on balconies, in courtyards and other places in the home, so how much does a pitcher plant cost per pot? What are its cultivation method and precautions?
How much does a pitcher plant cost per pot?
A pitcher plant costs about 15-50 per pot.
The leaf structure of the pitcher plant is complex, divided into petiole, leaf blade and tendril. The tail end of the tendril expands and curls back to form a pitcher shape, which can prey on insects. The pitcher plant has a raceme, bearing small green or purple flowers, and the pitcher-shaped body at the tip of the leaf is a tool for catching insects. The inner surface of the lid of the pitcher body can secrete a fragrance to lure insects. The mouth of the pitcher is smooth, and insects will slip into the pitcher, drown in the liquid secreted at the bottom of the pitcher, and the insect bodies are broken down into nutrients, which are gradually digested and absorbed.
What are the cultivation method and precautions for the pitcher plant?
Cultivation method for the pitcher plant:
1. Soil: The soil is best as loose, fertile and breathable leaf mold or peat soil. For potted plants, a mixed substrate of peat soil, sphagnum moss, charcoal and fir bark shavings is commonly used.
2. Watering: The pitcher plant is relatively sensitive to moisture. The pitcher plant can only grow and develop normally under high humidity conditions, and during the growing period it needs frequent spraying, 4 to 5 times a day. If the temperature changes greatly or it is too dry, it will affect the formation of the leaf pitchers.
3. Sunlight: The pitcher plant is an epiphytic plant, often growing under large trees or on the north side of rocks, and under natural conditions it is semi-shaded. Under strong direct light in summer, shading is necessary, otherwise the leaves are easily scorched, directly affecting the development of the leaf pitchers. However, under long-term dark conditions, the leaf pitchers form slowly and small, and the color on the pitcher surface is dull.
4. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for the pitcher plant is 25-30°C, from March to September it is 21-30°C, and from September to March of the following year it is 18-24°C. In winter the temperature should not be lower than 16°C; below 15°C the plant stops growing, and below 10°C the leaf edges suffer frost damage.
5. Fertilizing: The pitcher plant does not need special fertilizing, because the pitcher plant can usually catch insects by itself to convert nutrients. If the pitcher plant has insects to eat, there is no need to fertilize it.
6. Pests: The pitcher plant often suffers from leaf spot disease and scale insect damage. For leaf spot disease, spray with a 1000-fold dilution of 50% zineb wettable powder. For scale insects, spray to kill with a 2000-fold dilution of 40% dimethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
7. Pruning: The pitcher of the pitcher plant is a kind of modified leaf, so like the leaves of other plants it also ages and dies. Generally speaking, under suitable conditions each pitcher can survive for several months. When it has withered, it can be cut off to make the whole plant look more beautiful, but this is purely for appearance and has nothing to do with the health of the plant.
Precautions for cultivating the pitcher plant:
1. The flowers of the pitcher plant have no ornamental value; the flowers are small and plain, and only a few varieties have more brightly colored flowers. In addition, the flowers of the pitcher plant also give off a not very pleasant smell, so try not to grow it indoors; a courtyard balcony is the best choice.
2. The pitcher plant is a vine plant and must have something to cling to in order to stand, so a support frame needs to be set up for the pitcher plant. To set up the support frame, a larger flower pot is needed; on the other hand, using a larger flower pot can hold more growing medium, making the pot stable and heavy, able to support a large pitcher plant without being blown over by the wind.