Highland Hybrids

Nepenthes x tiveyi "Sarawak Red"
(Psst...look at that awesome Ceph behind it)

I've been neglecting display of my Nepenthes hybrids for a little while as I've become more fascinated with pure species, but this weekend I spent some time among them and affirmed my happiness with their bright colors and interesting peristomes. Perhaps most exciting was this hybrid between maxima and veitchii from Sarawak, which is a true show stopper.

Nepenthes sibuyanensis x ramispina

I'm also growing a few hybrids which lack bright colors, but are still quite stunning. One of those, this Nepenthes sibuyanensis x ramispina was horribly ugly when it opened. Now, it's quite interesting. It just goes to show how pitchers can change dramatically over time.

Nepenthes spathulata x (talangensis x spectabilis)

Speaking of pitchers changing over time, this Nepenthes spathulata x (talangensis x spectabilis) has to be nominated for and win the award for the most different pitchers over its lifetime. Its last pitcher looked nothing like this one. The pitcher before that was even more dissimilar. Even so, it's pitcher have been utterly stunning for a few months now. I can't wait to see how the next one looks!

Nepenthes 'Lady Pauline'

My Nepenthes 'Lady Pauline' is chugging along, too. It's twisted up with a Nepenthes spathulata x talangensis, so I constantly get the two confused (even though the differences are pretty obvious). It hasn't pitchered too much for me recently, but it seems to be starting to do so again. I first saw this cross a year-or-two ago at an NECPS show and knew that, one day, it would become a prize plant in my collection.

Nepenthes burkei x hamata

This plant, purchased as a 'Miranda', subsequently relabeled as "hamata x ?", is likely a burkei x hamata. The pitchers are finally large enough and mature enough to make that identification. It's possible, of course, that it's actually ventricosa x hamata, but my guess is burkei. I'm glad that I finally have a label.

Nepenthes "St. Pacificus"

Lastly, I wanted to share this Nepenthes "St. Pacificus". This was added to the collection back in October, at the NECPS Show, suffered a neglected existence at an office for a few months, then came to reside with the rest of the plants. It's much happier now.