Last Week's Humidity, This Week's Pitchers

Nepenthes robcantleyi x hamata

Alright, this guy isn't my doing. He's (or she's) new from California Carnivores this week. And, yes, this actually is a hybrid plant, although the pitchers look almost identical to Nepenthes hamata. Actually, that's why I decided to pick up this hybrid. It's stunning.

Nepenthes robcantleyi x hamata

Nepenthes robcantleyi is known for being a weak parent for hybrids. It's offspring usually look very much like the other parent. In the case of Nepenthes robcantleyi x hamata, that's actually a blessing. As this plant matures, it should have the striking peristome of Nepenthes hamata (or something close to it) while having all the vigor of a hybrid.

Nepenthes ...

Alright, so turning to last week. The temperatures have finally swung into the acceptable range (40 degrees Fahrenheit to 70 degrees Fahrenheit) and rain has been fairly frequent. All this means is that I've been able to keep the windows open and the heat hasn't been on, thus creating the ideal climate for highlanders. These have responded quite well, producing a number of new pitcers.

Nepnethes stenophylla

Nepenthes stenophylla is one of my perpetual favorites. It was a plant that I picked up on a whim (and because I got a really good deal on it). I figured, what the heck, if I don't like it, I'm sure I can pass it to someone who does. As it turns out, it's one of the best performing plants in my highland tank. It has been a non-stop performer.

Nepenthes stenophylla

In this photo, you can see dark splotches on the pitcher body and leaf. Those are actually nectar drops. In young leaves, they appear as clear drops, welling up from the plant; an attractant for insects. As time wears on, bacteria and fungi end up growing in the nectar, causing the droplets to turn black. 

Nepenthes aristolochioides x glabrata

Ah, one of the more difficult, yet charming, Nepenthes aristolochioides hybrids is finally happy. I am very thankful for that change of events. I've found that Nepenthes aristolochioides hybrids involving other highland and ultra-highland plants are very difficult to maintain, especially where it warms up. They really do prefer nights in the low 50s.

Nepenthes aristolochioides x glabrata

As you can see, this plant has progressed in size quite rapidly over the past couple months. The first pitchers in my care were tiny, barely noticeable. Now, the pitchers are much bigger, although they are still minuscule compared to many other species. (Both Nepenthes aristolochioides and Nepenthes glabrata have tiny pitchers compared to other species of Nepenthes).

Nepenthes aristolochioides x glabrata

I really like the pattern of coloration on the pitcher body and the swollen body of the pitchers themselves. The pitchers are a nice cross middle-ground between Nepenthes aristolochioides and Nepenthes glabrata.

Nepenthes spathulata x jacquelineae

A year ago, I had this plant potted in a mixture of inorganic soil - leca clay, seramis, and lava rock - which was mentioned in an old CPN as an alternative for Nepenthes. I've repotted it since then, and it seems to have appreciated the change. (It had not grown much in size over the course of that year, in contrast to some other plants).

Nepenthes spathulata x jacquelineae

This plant really does have quite fantastic pitchers and I'm glad that it is doing quite well in a traditional potting media capped by live sphagnum. I'm hopeful that it will see some size increases over the course of this year.