With Neps you use 1/4 of the strength recommended on the label. Put some of that mix in a SPRAY BOTTLE and lightly spray the LEAVES ONLY. Every 2 weeks until pitchers form. It is only used to help start pitcher growth in the spring.

Second question I am not sure of so I will beg off that one.

I'll beg off the 3rd as well. Age may play a part in number 3. I am not sure though.

Thank you for the quick response tommyr.

I wasn't aware that the fertilization was only for the starting of pitchers. My plant already has two fully grown pitchers, and three more starting up so I guess by that logic I shouldn't even bother with the fertilizer. Is there any benefit at all to fertilizing the plant, even if pitchers are already forming?

for the record . . . 1/4 strengh of 1/4 Tbsp is 1/16 Tbsp . . . 1/8 Tbsp is half strength.

Carolyn

There's really no way to tell how old the plant is because it could be a cutting of a cutting of a cutting and could be older than you are now.
Those are lower pitchers and upper pitchers of a ventricosa will look much different. The top of the pitcher should look more like a toilet bowl. The plant will have to start vining before it gets uppers. Usually if grown in favorable conditions and not topped for cuttings this could happen somewhere around 5-7 years old. Here's a link to a pic of ventricosa upper from dangerousplants.com

http://www.dangerousplants.com/photos/ventric.jpg

Hah, thanks for the correction carolyn, my mistake XD.

And thanks taz, that's very helpful. Now that I think of it I have seen those kinds of pitchers on the N. Ventricosa, I guess i just didn't realize they were the uppers.

I suppose I'll just have to play the waiting game as far as flowering goes then. I appreciate it taz, thank you.