Napenthes 'Bloody Mary' AKA 'Lady Luck'
Napenthes 'Bloody Mary' AKA 'Lady Luck'
Napenthes 'Bloody Mary' AKA 'Lady Luck'

Napenthes 'Bloody Mary' AKA 'Lady Luck'

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Nepenthes x Lady Luck, is a robust growing carnivorous tropical pitcher plant. The pitchers are typically a deep blood red color all over. Pitchers form easily even in low light and are long lasting. The nodes (length of stem between leaves) are short, and It commonly produces numerous basal offshoots, giving it a dense growing appearance. It has a very wide temperature tolerance and does well in a window.  It is quite good at catching many insects, such as: stink bugs, wasps and yellow jackets.  It is a fast grower. It is a great house plant, that can be grown outdoors in the warm weather. It is suitable for beginners.

This clone N. ampullaria x ventricosa, was developed by Borneo Exotics, and is sometimes called "Bloody Mary." 

From Michael Kong of @yuyi_grows: 

Nepenthes are a genus of carnivorous plants that are also known as tropical pitcher plants. These are found in the tropics and do not go through a dormancy period. Nepenthes have shallow root systems with a climbing stem. Each leaf ends with a tendril that develops into a pitcher. Each pitcher or trap contains a self made digestive fluid that traps and breaks down insects that fall into the pitcher. 

Nepenthes usually produce two types of pitcher; lower pitchers appear near the base of the plant and typically sit on the ground. These pitchers are generally darker in colour and have wing-like appendages that help terrestrial insects crawl up the pitcher and fall inside. Upper pitchers occur once Nepenthes start to vine into the tree canopy. These pitchers usually change colour and morphology compared to the lower pitchers. This helps them grow up in the canopy and catch flying insects. Most Nepenthes feed on small insects but some of the larger species can catch small vertebrates such as rodents or lizards. Like other carnivorous plants, the additional nutrients from these insects or vertebrates supplements the nutrient poor habitats they have evolved in. 


Potting Media

Nepenthes like airy and moist potting media. A popular substrate base is New Zealand sphagnum moss. Perlite and/or orchid bark can be added to keep the moss airy as it breaks down over time. We recommend a 60:40 sphagnum to perlite ratio but they can be successfully grown in pure moss depending on your watering schedule and how often you plan on repotting. Avoid any media with fertilizers such as MiracleGro. Make sure your pot has drainage holes! 


Grow Guide:

All Nepenthes enjoy high humidity and air circulation with bright indirect light. Most Nepenthes will be happy in a sunny windowsill or under grow lights. Nepenthes appreciate higher humidity between 60-80% but many can be adjusted to household and windowsill conditions. Nepenthes are tropical plants and do not have a dormancy period. 

Nepenthes do not like to dry out but they do not like sitting in water like bog plants. If Nepenthes are kept in deep water for extended periods of time they can develop root rot and decline. Like all other carnivores, Nepenthes appreciate clean water that is low in total dissolved solids (TDS). Depending on where you live, this can be straight from the tap or filtered through a DI or similar system. 

You can fertilize your Nepenthes but only fertilize inside the pitchers. A small insect or osmocote pellet can be added to each pitcher once it's open. Note that overfeeding will cause the pitcher to rot and die. 


Note - These are generalizations and many species and hybrids can be acclimated to intermediate or windowsill conditions. It is important to monitor your plants as they acclimate to your growing conditions. Signs of temperature stress can be aborted pitchers or consecutive leave size decrease. Cold damage or stress depending on the species and/or hybrid can happen under 40-50 degrees. When this happens, they will often develop red mottling on the leaves.