Q/A #13 - Nepenthes Identified with Sunburn

QUESTION:
I purchased this plant 2 weeks ago from Sydney Botanical Gardens (Australia). I actually don’t know what species it is, can you please tell me?

As you can see there are some anomaly on these 2 leaves and a bit turning red on the curl leaf on the left with a new pitcher growing. I put it outdoor balcony the whole time, morning to noon direct sunlight and bright place rest of the day, spray water 3 times and keep it very moist at all times. I don’t know anything about the soil, fertilizers or repotting of this plant as I just bought it. It is summer now in Australia, recently around 80°F (27°C).

I would really appreciate it if you can help me with the leaves problem and tell me if the way I care it is ok or not.
(Submitted in December 2018.)

RESPONSE BY JEFF DALLAS:
Your plant is Nepenthes Gaya, and it looks great. I wouldn't worry too much about the brown on those two leaves since those are older leaves. It looks like it may have just gotten a little burn from being transitioned to your sunny balcony. These sort of things are sometimes unavoidable. The deformity might also have been from damage to the leaf while it was developing. Neither of these abnormalities indicate anything systemic.

When I assess the overall health of a plant, I look at the new growth and most recent leaves. They all have nice color and appear to be firm. The pitchers are also brightly colored with no signs of premature browning. Your plant is healthy despite the minor cosmetic issues. If those leaves bother you, you can always cut them off near the stem of the plant. It won't affect the plant's health, but will reduce a sense of remorse when looking at this fine plant.

For general information on growing Nepenthes, read our care guide.

• Submitted in December 2018. The original question and response have been edited for publication.
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