Tuesday, August 25, 2020

That's a lotta nepenthes!

Ya I know, but I had to! (a lotta / alata)...

I currently have five Nepenthes alata, I love them. They're both exotic and undemanding—and relatively easy to find, hence the fact I have five. 

Talking with a recent garden visitor I found myself explaining why I hadn't taken the jump into the vast world of the truly exotic nepenthes species via mail order—and realized it's the same for another obsession of mine, bromeliads.

I just don't need that hit of hunting down an expensive plant that may or may not survive my care. I'm a generalist (love all the plants! well, at least the cool ones) and—for the most part—I'm happy with the plants I can buy locally. 

It's the same with my agaves really, I prefer to find them in person rather than hunt extensive mail order lists for the hot new thing (hot new thing frequently means lots of dollar signs too). The fact I have fabulous nurseries within easy driving distance helps.

I hope you've enjoyed the images above of full-size pitchers and small ones that are still forming. The plant below went and formed a baby, a whole new plant...

And it's already got an adorable small pitcher.

My largest Nepenthes alata hangs on a trellis and thus is a little hard to see.

Or maybe a lot hard to see, ya, bad photo. It's in the dark triangular container on the right top of the grid-work trellis. The leaves are above the trellis about 7" and the plant hangs down below the tip of the triangle 5-6 squares, or about 15-18".

It's few pitchers glow...

Back-lighting will do that.

The only other type of nepenthes I grow is Nepenthes 'Miranda', she's grown a lot and I love those big, dark, leaves.

The pitchers are more colorful than the ones found on N. alata.

Both plants want partial sun/bright light and significant humidity.

Sadly any pitchers that develop over the summertime are usually dried up in the spring, when these plants go back outdoors. I just cant keep them humid enough in our house with central heating.

Luckily they don't hold a grudge and quickly get on with making new ones.

Weather Diary, Aug 24: Hi 81, Low 57/ Precip 0 

All material © 2009-2020 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

13 comments:

  1. If I had the fabulous nurseries around us that you are privy to, I would not do mail order either. Very cool plants.

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  2. "Carnies" are my thing! I have a number of them - including the Australian pitcher plant, Cephalotus.

    If anyone's interested in purchasing these "easy to grow and care for" (especially for those who tend to over-water...) plants I find the best selection and pricing to be at California Carnivores and Black Jungle Terrarium Supply. I've ordered online from both companies and THEY ARE EXCELLENT. The plants always arrive quickly and in great condition.

    Beautiful plants by the way.

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    1. Darn you! I don't need to look at pictures of cool plants that are for sale... but seriously, any tips for keeping the pitchers happy over the long dry winter months inside my house?

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  3. Those are such fascinating plants, and very exotic to me. Too dry for them here.

    A pattern I notice in myself: attracted to a genus, collect some, love some, dislike some, keep the favorites, give away/discard the rest...then on to the next genus. Slowly the garden is evolving to the very favorites of many favorite genera.

    Not so bad, that.

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    1. You're right...that sounds pretty good to me.

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  4. Luckily, you have a lot of great nurseries within a readily commutable distance! Pitcher plants are tempting but, as even those in my local botanic garden's greenhouse die with regularity, I've put that prospect aside.

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    1. Being able to leave them outdoors year round sounds temping...but your hot dry climate says otherwise.

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  5. Strange and unique plants. It would be nice if the pitchers would glow in the dark, like little solar panel...
    Since they carnivorous and attract bugs, what do they feed on when they are in the basement for winter? Are they forced to go vegan for a time?

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    1. That's a good question. I've read forums where people get worried and start catching things to feed their plants, but it's really not necessary, they do fine without constant inputs and even indoors there are things for them to feed on...like those annoying fruit flies!

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  6. You do have a way with these plants. I have only ever tried one and I killed it. I decided then I would just admire them from afar.

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    1. I killed my first one too... maybe you should try again!

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  7. Love 'Miranda' with those burgundy stripey-spots. Do you have to use a humidifier in your basement in winter? It gets so dry here in winter, it is a necessity.

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