Nepenthes sp.

[pikevi]

Last weekend there was a 'home and garden' show in Malton, Ontario.

I bought this Nepenthes form a vendor, who did not know the species name.

Does anyone have any more info on it?

He also said to use only peat moss for potting. I intend to use an orchid mix ( bark, sphagnum,perlite and charcoal) but with at least 40% peat moss added.

Would that be OK?

Thanks in advance.

[tom499]

Sounds like a good mix to me. I grow mine in mixes similiar to Paphs, except using peat instead of orchid compost as the water retainer.

I've seen similiar hybrids before, did he say whether its a highlander or lowlander? I think it would be fine in highland conditions as long as it doesn't get too chilly. highland temps range from about 25celsius during the day and down to about 12celsius at night. Which is the same for most of my orchids.

They grow in conditions very similiar to orchids, same humidity, like to be kept damp, and can be fertilised occasionally with balanced feeds. They like good light, but not direct.

I grow a few of these and they do make fine partner plants for orchids

[mbasden]

PKV Try a weblink International Carnivorous Plant Society Homepage This is to the ICPS, to which I am a member. Alot of good info and links on this site.

[clarita]

I grow them in 70% peat, potting soild, little perlite. They require a very wet mix, but not terribly opne mix. Looks like you have a Ventricosa or 1 of its hybrids. Terrestrial mix may become tough to manage during the warmer weather. They appreciate being ket fairly moist

[pikevi]

Thanks everyone.

I guess I will take a chance and add about 10% of potting soil to the mix.

tom499: The guy did not have much info or rather I did not have many questions to ask him.

mbasden: Thanks for the URL. It IS very useful.

clarita: It probably is N. ventricosa. When I checked the 'net I see many different pictures of it The pitchers are very pretty with so many bristles all around.

[tom499]

Hmmm I'm not so sure, it lacks the thin waist that N. ventricosa has.

Most likely to be Nepenthes mixta x maxima, a pretty solid highlander.

[pikevi]

Thank you , tom499.

The one I have is just like the one you have mentioned!!!!

Thank you very much.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by tom499

They grow in conditions very similiar to orchids, same humidity, like to be kept damp, and can be fertilised occasionally with balanced feeds. They like good light, but not direct.

no, no, no fertilizer. Otherwise, the plant will not pitch. They are C.P.
that mean they like insect. Most of the nutrient is absorb from pitcher. If you
insist on fertilizer , put them into the pitcher directly. Oh, you can top
up the water if you like. Just remember don't breed mosquito.

[mbasden]

That plant looks very healthy. You are lucky to pick it up. I have looked for one for awhile locally but have not been able to find one except through catalogs etc... Good luck growing.

[sandra]

Originally Posted by pikevi

I bought this Nepenthes form a vendor, who did not know the species name.

Does anyone have any more info on it?

pikevi, there's a local grower who's got several of these. Next time I'm in that area, I'll ask him for you. Also, machiela (a member/moderator (but seldom active here)) has got quite a few. I've been to his GH and was amazed at how huge they get. You may want to message him. He's very nice and will give you whatever info he knows.

[pikevi]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Thanks sandra for the referral. I hope I will be able to grow it well indoors. I see the peristomes of the pitchres already shriveling up..

I am not sure if I can give it the humidity it requires. the plant is just too big for me to come up with something. Besides I did buy a few more orchids that require my attention more than this one.

We will see how it performs in the next couple of weeks.

[articuno75]

You could always rig a couple of shower curtains with some PVC piping for a frame and put a humidifier with it

[tom499]

i have a large N. x ventrata in a hanging pot, which is just too big to put in any tank. The latest stem is 3 foot high. In the summer I'll move it to the greenhouse and will it pitcher again.

You could hang it over one of your tanks, then it would get a humidity boost that way.

The pitchers are abit like flowers on orchids, in that when you change the environment they're the first to go. The plant will do fine, but you may lose a few of the older pitchers.

[pikevi]

Thanks everyone..

I think I might lose many pitchers. I have moved the plant to a difeerent location. Unfortunately I can't spend too much time with this plant since I did buy about 20 orchids recently an I have to attenfd to those first.

I will keep you updated.

[tom499]

20!?!?!

How I envy you

[flowerchild]

Holy Moly Pikevi 20 orchids, that's just a few eh? I just bought 3 at the last orchid show and my aunt( who just recently joined the forum has given me a few, 6 to be exact)!!!

[tom499]

Anything more than one plant at a time calls for a party in my books