How to Dry Nepenthes Pitchers

Freeze-drying is the best way to preserve nepenthes pitchers.

The most beautiful aspect of a nepenthes is its pitcher. Contrary to popular belief, the pitcher is not a flower, but a swollen portion of the central vein of the nepenthes' leaves. Colored a mottled burgundy and green with a delicate lid and coming in a variety of shapes, the nepenthes pitcher is a natural marvel. One of the easiest ways to dry a nepenthes pitcher while preserving its size and shape is to freeze-dry it. But if these delicate pitchers are to survive the process, they must be handled with care.

Things You'll Need

• Large plastic container
• Freezer
• Clear spray paint

Instructions

1. Prune the pitcher from the plant.

2. Rinse out the fluid and debris from the interior of the plant using slow-running tap water.

3. Dry the plants quickly with a hair dryer set on cool.

4. Place them in the bottom of a plastic container so that no nepenthes touches its neighbor.

5. Place the open container of nepenthes pitchers immediately into the freezer. Leave the pitchers in the freezer for five months.

6. Remove the nepenthes pitchers from the refrigerator. Leave the nepenthes pitchers out to dry for five days in a cool, dry place with low humidity and plenty of air circulation (a fan placed in the room and an open window are beneficial). Turn them twice daily.

7. Spray the exterior and interior of the nepenthes pitchers with a thin coat of clear spray paint applied according to the manufacturer's instructions. For the best results, spray the exterior before spraying the interior and the lid. This will allow the clear paint to dry enough for you to lay the pitcher plant back down. Leave the pitcher plants to dry for 24 hours after you clear-coat them. Turn the pitchers once every eight hours or so.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid handling the pitcher itself as much as possible. Instead, grab the stem.

• Once the nepenthes pitchers are emptied of their water, they must be placed in the freezer within a half hour. Otherwise they will wilt.

References

• Botanique: Caring for Nepenthes, Tropical Pitcher Plants or Monkey Cups
• Pet Pitcher: Preserving Cut Nepenthes Pitchers