Developments on Desirable Highlanders

Nepenthes lowii and Nepenthes lowii

I've been eagerly awaiting the new pitcher on one of my two lowiis. Can you guess why? It finally looks like a lowii. I attribute this massive jump in pitcher size entirely to feeding the plant, although, I will admit that the plant next to it, also a lowii, was, at one time, just about the same size as the larger lowii. Looks like I was lucky and got one of the faster growing lowii seedlings. In another year or so, I anticipate fully developed lower pitchers. I am excited.

Nepenthes hamata

The hamata is also doing well. It currently has miniature versions of its adult pitchers. Very cute, but, as with all smaller plants, I am always watchful to make sure that it is doing well. N. hamata is an interesting species in that it is one of the species where the size of the pitchers rapidly outstrips the size of the leaves. That always seems odd to me, but I'm more used to growing plants with larger leaves and smaller pitchers.

Nepenthes hamata

As you can see, some new pitchers may even be almost as large as the entire plant itself. You can also see a bit of darker color at the bottom of the pitcher. That's from feeding. I've been try to make sure that the smallest pitchers which I can feed do get fed. That does cause them to die off sooner, but the plants really appear to benefit from such feedings.

Nepenthes jamban x dubia

Lastly, I have to share this glorious gift from a fellow NECPS member. This N. jamban x dubia is one of the jewels of the highland collection. It is remarkably colorful and, although it has taken quite a while to settle in, is definitely a focal point. I am hopeful that it has finally settled in completely and will start to grow rapidly. It's a remarkably plant.