One thing I notice is that in my greenhouse I tend to have lower
humidity, especially with the vent open and the fan running to
keep things in the 70's. So, I've decided to help the Nepenthes
out by putting them in a large tray and covering it with a
clear plastic sheet. This will dramatically raise the humidity
for them, and also increase the daytime temperatures to
the 80's. In the meantime, within a week, I will build a temporary
grow box about 4' by 2' by 1' high. It's a 2x2 wood frame and
is covered with 4 mil clear plastic. The frame sits on top
of a tray with some water in it for humidity. I'm hoping this will create
temps and humidity that get my N. Rafflesiana to pitcher again.
I recently received an N. Anamensis, an N. Mirabillis (to replace
the cutting from Tom Massey that croaked), and an N. Trichocarpa.
Which are highlanders and which are lowlanders? They have good
sized little pitchers on them and they look very healthy. I just
put them in the shadier side of my greenhouse to acclimate them to
the new environment. In addition, I also received a Cephalotus, and
hope that it likes similar conditions. Is anyone out there an
expert on pings? I need a little advice on how to grow them, their
cultural requirements, etc. By the way, the cutting Tom Massey sent
me was growing well through several months of cloudy rainy weather
out here, then we got one bright sunny day and the greenhouse
heated up and cooked it before I could put it in a shadier spot.
So, it's no knock on Tom, just a little carelessness on my part.
I've had no luck sprouting the N. Alata, N. Sulewesi, and N.
Ventricosa seeds that I got from the ICPS seedbank. I think I'll try
the side of the jar technique next time and see if that works
better. Anyway, it's nice to have a Cephalotus again after a
15-year wait.
---Steve