Re: Rajah
saharris@iafrica.com
Tue, 17 Sep 96 19:49:54 GMT
Hi!,
There has been a request regarding the cultivation of N.rajah,
I have grown mine from a little seedling +-16-17 years ago, it was
1-1.5cm high when I bought it.
I live in Cape Town, South Africa - Mediterranean climate, no
snow, no frost and lots of sun.
In the beginning I grew it with great difficulty, using a
potting mix of peat, pine bark chips and live sphagnum, growing it
in heavy shade, spraying it with municipal supplied water every
morning and evening.
About 5-6 years ago I read an article which mentioned that the
few in nature seem to grow near waterfalls, I now spray them 9
times a day, along with my Heliamphoras, I use wood shavings as a
potting medium, and grow them under white fibreglass with fairly
good air circulation, they dislike the Summer heat, the area is
open on both sides, one side lightly protected with shade cloth, to
prevent them being blown over during our windy period. They only
produce pitchers during Spring and Autumn, the cooler months!!,
when they open I rapidly fill them with anything that moves,
snails, mice etc., and the lid rapidly dies, indicating they are
full. The trap remains fairly intact for about 2 years. Plants 3-4
years old are grown in the same medium, with the same conditions,
on the floor, protected by my almost adult plant which is now 102cm
high, from potting medium to tip of newest leaf, just emerging!,
the leaves are 69cm long including petiole and lamina, the tendril
is 46cm long and the largest trap is 25cm in length with a lid
measuring 17cm. The stem at it's base is about 1-1.5cm thick, but
at it's apex it is 5cm in diameter.
It is rather slow growing, but fascinating!!!!!!, waiting
patiently for flowers, male or female???.
Hope something here helps with the cultivation of this species.
ALL THE BEST Eric