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 display of Nepenthes is symbolic, meaning "a pig entering water brings in wealth" and also represents "prosperity and peace." As a result, many people are purchasing pitcher plants for the Lunar New Year.
Nepenthes, commonly known as the "pig trap," is a tropical carnivorous plant belonging to the Nepenthaceae family. Its leaves consist of three parts: the front is a flat blade, the midrib extends like a red tendril that can wrap around objects or cling to rocks, and at the end of the midrib forms a "pitcher" shaped leaf cage. These pitchers have a small lid, nectaries at the opening, and wax glands on the inner wall. The wax acts as a lubricant, while the bottom contains digestive glands that secrete weakly acidic fluids.
How do pitcher plants catch insects? Their lids are often partially open, and the colorful, fragrant pitchers attract bugs with both sight and scent. The smooth inner walls make it easy for insects to slip into the bottom, where the lid automatically closes. The digestive juices contain amines that paralyze the insects, leading to their death. Once digested, the nutrients help the plant grow.
There are over 70 species of pitcher plants worldwide, each with unique shapes and colors—green, yellow, and red. Some pitchers are as small as 3-4 cm, while others can reach up to 40 cm and hold up to 600 ml of liquid. It's even said that larger ones can catch small animals like mice. German botanists once observed a cockroach getting stuck in a pitcher, unable to escape and eventually dying inside.
Native to tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Nepenthes are also found in China’s Guangdong and Yunnan provinces. Introduced to the UK in 1789, they became popular in European botanical gardens. In 1882, horticulturists successfully bred *Nepenthes reinhardtii*, and by the mid-20th century, commercial cultivation began, making them more accessible to the public. Since the 1990s, international associations have promoted their use as indoor ornamental plants in countries like the U.S., Japan, and Germany.
Although wild Nepenthes exist in South China, they were rarely used until the 1980s when imported varieties were showcased at flower exhibitions. Today, pitcher plants are commonly sold in urban flower markets and used to decorate homes—placed on shelves, balconies, or hung from trees. They are not only stylish but also functional, helping to control mosquitoes.
Nepenthes are dioecious, with small red or purple flowers. They are typically propagated through seeds, which should be sown immediately and kept in a humid environment. A mix of peat moss, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and cedar bark is ideal. Germination occurs within 30–40 days at temperatures between 27°C and 30°C. Cuttings can also be used for propagation. During the growing season, regular misting is needed to maintain high humidity. They thrive in temperatures between 25°C and 30°C, with winter temperatures not dropping below 16°C. In summer, they need shade, while in autumn and winter, they should be placed in sunny areas. Repotting is usually done in February before new roots develop. With proper care, it takes about 3–4 years for pitcher plants to produce their characteristic traps.
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