Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2000 22:49:39 -0700 From: "J. Chris Coppick " <jchris@znet.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2798$foo@default> Subject: Nepenthes cuttings too happy?
I have a medium'ish N. Ventricosa given to me by an acquaintance.
It had been through some hard times before I got it, and suffered
some unfortunate moves after I got it, but has been kept in the same
spot for several months now. It doesn't seem remarkably happy, but
at least it's doesn't seem to be dying either. A couple of the longest
vines, approx. 5 feet, seemed to have the most damage. They were a bit
long for my purposes anyway, so I decided to prune them. I've never
rooted Nep. cuttings before (the rest of my meager Nep. collection is
in the 3-6" size range), but I figured why let the extra vines
go to waste? I followed most of the good advice found in the available
literature and on the net, and ended up with about 8 cuttings in plastic
bags, which I placed in the back of my terrarium. I then proceeded to
vigorously ignore them, as that seems to be the Nep. growing technique most
often agreed upon.
After about 5 weeks or so, I finally succumbed to temptation and took a
close look at the bags. I expected to find mostly dead Nep. parts, but
was pleasantly surprised to find that most were putting out new leaves.
And, finally, here's the kicker: One of the cuttings is growing a flower
stalk! Now I hesitate to look a gift horse in the mouth, but what's
up with that? How common is it for Nep. cuttings to flower? And, most
importantly, should I let it? I'm more interested in rooting the cutting
successfully than in having it flower. Thoughts?
Thanks.
Chris
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