Highlanders at Home

Nepenthes alba

I can finally say that the highlander/intermediate grow tent is almost completely set up, so I had some time to take some photos of some of the plants that are doing quite well. First up is a Nepenthes alba. Until recently, there was significant confusion between this species and Nepenthes gracillima both in the literature and cultivation. This appears to be the correct species and these pitchers are beginning to show more and more white in them as the vine grows longer and longer.

Nepenthes stenophylla

Next up is my Nepenthes stenophylla. This was a species that I bought last year because it was cheap. As it turned out, its one of the most spectacular plants I own. The lighting in this photo does not do this species justice. I have a Nepenthes glandulifera, which looks similar, and I'm interested to see how the two compare when mature.

Nepenthes spectabilis x hamata (top)
Nepenthes robcantleyi x hamata (bottom)

I've also acquired a few Nepenthes hamata hybrids. My favorite, of course, is Nepenthes robcantleyi x hamata. The weak influence of Nepenthes robcantleyi allows this cross to display quite a few Nepenthes hamata characteristics, making it an easier version of a hamata without too many significant differences.

Nepenthes spectabilis x hamata

There have been a few iterations of Nepenthes spectabilis x hamata recently. Most are seed grown, and there doesn't yet seem to be a whole lot of variation. Of course, most of us have small plants, so there isn't a whole lot to see, yet. (FYI, for you sharp-eyed folks, that white stuff on the leaf next to the pitcher is perlite dust. I double checked).

Nepenthes hamata x ?

Last up in the hamata category (since I didn't take a photo of my hamata) is this Nepenthes hamata x ?. I bought it at a clear out where it was labeled incorrectly. I'm not sure which BE cross this is, yet, but my guess is Nepenthes platychila x hamata based upon other items which were in the catalog at the time).

Nepenthes truncata x [(lowii x veitchii)-yellow x campanulata-squat]  (back)
Nepenthes petiolaria x veitchii "Bario" (front)

I didn't feel like shifting around plants for this photo, but the subject is really the back plant, the complex hybrid from Exotic Plants. It's a truly fantastic hybrid and one that is getting better with each pitcher. (EP plants seem to be best, in my opinion, when they contain EP's (lowii x veitchii) parent).

Nepenthes ampullaria x aristolochioides

Nepenthes ampullaria x aristolochioides is a new release from Borneo Exotics. Quite a few of us were curious about what it would look like when it came out. So far, it's looking mostly like a modified Nepenthes ampullaria, one that will grow in highland conditions.

Heliamphora heterodoxa x minor (back)
Heliamphora pulchella (left)
Heliamphora collina (right)

I also snapped a quite photo of a small selection of the Heliamphora collection. I have quite a few young Helis now, but they don't look like a whole lot. These more mature plants are much more photogenic.

Nepenthes (spathulata x aristolochioides) x lowii

Last up is this Nepenthes (spathulata x aristolochioides) x lowii from EP. It was incredibly hard to get this photograph as the pitcher is almost pure black. It's still a little fuzzy in the photograph. In real life, it is phenomenal! It's a very awesome cross.

Cephalotus

Okay, okay, one more photo. I wanted to do a quick update on the Luxul LED T5HO replacement bulbs. With virtually the same conditions, except that the plants are no longer in tanks with a pane of glass separating them and the light bulbs, the plants all seem to be doing well under the LEDs. In fact, these Ceph pullings are actually starting to color up quite nicely. Looks like I may have found a T5HO replacement that is worth investing in.