In an interview with the Guangzhou Flower Expo Park, the author discovered that many flower shops are showcasing a string of beautiful pitcher plants. According to the shop owner, this year is the Year of the Pig, and the arrangement of these plants symbolizes "the pig entering water, bringing in wealth" and also represents the blessing of "prosperity and peace." As a result, many people are purchasing pitcher plants for the Lunar New Year.
Pitcher plants, also known as "piglet cages," are perennial herbs belonging to the Nepenthaceae family. They are famous tropical carnivorous plants. Their leaves are divided into three parts: the front is a flat blade, while the midrib extends like a red tendril, which can wrap around objects or cling to rocks. At the end of this structure forms a bottle-shaped leaf cage. These cages have a small lid, nectaries near the opening, and wax glands on the inner walls. They secrete wax to make the surface slippery and produce weakly acidic digestive fluids at the bottom to break down prey.
How do pitcher plants catch insects? The lid is usually half-open, and the colorful cage emits a fragrance from the nectaries, attracting insects with both scent and color. The smooth inner wall causes insects to slip into the bottom, where the lid automatically closes. The digestive fluid contains amines that poison the insects, causing them to die quickly. Once digested, the nutrients help the plant grow stronger.
There are over 70 species of pitcher plants worldwide, each with unique shapes and colors—ranging from green, yellow, to red. Some cages are as small as 3-4 cm, while others can grow up to 40 cm, holding up to 500 ml of liquid. It's even said that some large pitchers can trap small mice. German botanists have observed cockroaches getting stuck in the cage, unable to escape and eventually dying inside.
Native to tropical regions in Southeast Asia, pitcher plants are also found in southern China, particularly in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces. They were first introduced to the UK in 1789 and later cultivated in European botanical gardens. In 1882, horticulturists successfully bred *Nepenthes reinhardtii*, and by 1911, it was further refined. By the mid-20th century, commercial cultivation began, and pitcher plants gradually became popular household plants. Since the 1990s, countries like the US, Japan, France, Germany, and Australia established the International Carnivorous Plant Society, making pitcher plants common indoor ornamental plants in Europe.
Although wild pitcher plants are native to South China, they were rarely used until the 1980s when high-quality varieties were imported for flower exhibitions. Today, many urban flower markets sell pitcher plants, often used to decorate living rooms, balconies, or hanging from trees and corridors. Not only are they elegant, but they also serve a practical purpose by catching flying insects.
Pitcher plants are dioecious, with small red or purple flowers arranged in racemes. They are typically propagated by seeds, which should be sown immediately and placed in a mix of water moss. After sowing, regular watering and high humidity are essential, often covered with plastic film. Germination occurs within 30–40 days at temperatures between 27°C and 30°C. Cuttings can also be used for propagation. Native to hot, humid environments, they require regular misting during the growing season to maintain moisture. They thrive in temperatures between 25°C and 30°C, and winter temperatures should not drop below 16°C. In summer, they need shade to avoid sunburn, while in autumn and winter, they should be placed in sunny spots to encourage cage growth. Every February, new pots are changed before new roots develop. A common potting mix includes peat moss, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and cedar bark. It typically takes 3–4 years for pitcher plants to produce their characteristic leaf cages.
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