More Pitchers!

Nepenthes singalana x (ventricosa x sibuyanensis)

While the rest of the country is enjoying spring temperatures and happy Sarracenia pitchers, up in the chilly North Country, I'm still waiting for those. Fortunately, I have quite a few Nepenthes to keep me company. One of my best performing throughout winter is this Nepenthes singalana x (ventricosa x sibuyanensis). This newest pitcher has a slightly deformed lid, but it's still a stunning red color.

Nepenthes singalana x (ventricosa x sibuyanensis)

This N. singalana x (ventricosa x sibuyanensis) originally came from a grower in Hawaii. Surprisingly, it had very little difficulty adjusting to my climate in New Hampshire. It has been reliably producing these minute pitchers all winter. I'm wondering how large these pitchers will become. CP Photofinder suggests that these are about full-sized, probably a consequence of the influence of the tiny N. singalana.

Nepenthes graciliflora

I grow Nepenthes graciliflora in with my lowlanders. It seems to like those conditions quite a lot. Honestly, I'm quite pleased with the shape of the pitcher and wish that it was more widespread in collections. I think it could be a phenomenal "beginner" plant due to its fast growth, ease with most any conditions, and propensity to pitcher.

Nepenthes gracilis "red"

This is my favorite lowlander, Nepenthes gracilis. This plant was originally sold to me as a seedling and labeled "eustachya." As it turns out, it was a gracilis. When I do get it in bright light, this plant was displaying red coloration, but right now it seems to be displaying more black coloration. This specific plant has a bit of an odd growth pattern because of a dehydration incident a few months ago.

Nepenthes gracilis "black"

This is my Nepenthes gracilis "black." It looks very much like the "red" version, making me wonder if my "red" is really "black" as well. In any case, I received this plant as an unrooted cutting. It rooted quite quickly and has done well since then, although it is only just now starting to really put out some growth.

Nepenthes gracilis "black"

I'm really pleased with this plant. And, I've found it's a good indicator of how strong my light is in the lowland tank. As you can see, it's not quite the full sun needed to cause the pitchers to turn the dark, luscious black that they should turn. (When I received the cutting, it had dark black pitchers).

Nepenthes gracilis

I'm hoping, in the near future, to pick up another Nepenthes gracilis, perhaps one of a different color. I'd also like to know - and I've searched for this but never found out whether it's been done - if a cross has been made between Nepenthes gracilis and Nepenthes mikei. Those two species are remarkably similar looking, and I would imagine that the offspring would be a very easy, very fast grower tolerant of a wide range of conditions.

Nepenthes (((King Tiger x rafflesiana) x alata) x smilesii) x campanulata 

This Nepenthes (((King Tiger x rafflesiana) x alata) x smilesii) x campanulata is a hugely complex hybrid that, I believe, was originally grown in tissue culture. As you can see, it is prone to creating basals, and is quite prolific at pitchering. I've noticed that it is not very tolerant of low humidity conditions and those can induce further basal shoots.

Nepenthes (((King Tiger x rafflesiana) x alata) x smilesii) x campanulata

This plant is somewhat of an oddity. I've been waiting to see if it will grow larger pitchers or leaves, but it appears to be content to produce small pitchers, much like Nepenthes campanulata. These have a very neat shape and are quite colorful.