I have a pitcher plant, and the person who sold it to me recommended that I fill the pitchers halfway with water (I just use water from the tap). Always clip dead leaves/pitchers. The instructions say not to use fertilizer, but that's 'cause it lives off flies. I'm not sure what to do if you have no insects around (other than be thankful). I got mine because my studio is absolutely filled with flies. I water it every day (my studio is hot), and mist it several times a day. My plant is very happy.

~ Mari

It doesn't need to be fed, and shouldn't be fertilized - most of the CP's evolved in nearly nutrient-free soils, hence why they eat bugs. Too many nutrients, and you could easily kill it. I've heard that you never should fill the pitchers, but that if it's kept at the proper humidity, it will fill its self, and if you have to fill it, it's not humid enough. If you've not got enough humidity, you can use a terrarium, or fish tank to increase the humidity. (Most people I know keep their pitcher plants standing in water, about halfway up the pot - distilled water, of course.)

Most CP's will do just fine never having eaten a bug.

!c

Oh yes, and there's a FAQ question directly related to this:

www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq3100.html

"In a nutshell---if your plants don't have water in the pitchers, that is ok. Just give the plant time. Adding water to the pitchers is probably not likely to help. Of course, it won't hurt, so it would be your choice. Just make sure you use purified water."

!c