Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999 12:37:39 -0500 From: Alastair Robinson <Alastair_R@compuserve.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg538$foo@default> Subject: Re: Thanks and questions
Hey Christer,
Yes, I observed Nepenthes lowii on both Trus Madi and Mulu, as well
as <of course> Kinabalu. All plants grew in roughly similar
conditions, so that can't be of much use to you. I am not aware of
any clones of N.lowii that are any more temperature tolerant than
the rest, although finding one would be helpful to many. When I
went back to Kinabalu last year, I actually found Nepenthes villosa
between the Kandis and Ubah shelters - these names may mean nothing
to you, but happen to be two of the lowest shelters on the trails -
the N.villosa found here, not far off the trail, appears even before
N.tentaculata (and kilometers below its normal range). I would
entertain that such specimens may be just the ones that might be
found to grow more easily in cultivation - however, one mustn't
forget that unusual localised conditions (microclimates &c.) may
play a part in such occurrences. On a larger scale, take G.
Santubong, near Kuching - at 810m, it isn't a very high mountain,
but local conditions are such that one is able to find mossy-forest
towards its summit where Nn.tentaculata and veitchii are found well
below 'normal' altitudes (granted, the latter species does grow in
the lowlands in certain areas!).
>>N. bicalcarata... I wish I could help, but unfortunately I don't
know anyone who grow this species. <<
Thanks, no problem! It would appear that most growers of this
species are in the States, which doesn't help me all that much (UK)
- at the moment, it costs a little too much for me around here.
>>Where is the best place to go for a beginner (Mt. Kinabalu?)<<
If it must be Borneo, then G.Kinabalu is perhaps the best and most
accessible mountain you could hope to ascend - offering some
obviously fine species. It is actually easier to view Nepenthes in
the lowlands where you can rely on luck by trawling rural roadsides
in a car (although certain ones such as N.bicalcarata are harder to
find like this). Anyway yes, G. Kinabalu is a good beginner's
mountain - the climb is comparatively easy if you are fairly active.
A little less so if you are not, but by all means still do-able!
Anyhow, once there, Nepenthophiles become gripped by this 'force'
and seem to be dragged excitedly up the mountain by their belts
whether or not their bodies are physically capable of the trek ;) G.
Trus Madi and G. Mulu take a little more organising, and are also
more difficult, seeing that they are not managed in the same way as
G.Kinabalu is. Neither are difficult in the technical sense, but
both are rather tiring. The latter, G. Mulu, takes the longest (we
spent two nights on the mountain to reach its summit and come back
down) to conquer, but is certainly a favourite of mine - quite a
fantastic mountain and by all means the most fun.
>>when did you arrange/reserve the hikes?<<
When I went to Borneo in 1995, I arranged the minutae two or three
days beforehand while in Kuala Lumpur, Peninsular Malaysia. In
1998, I did it all from here (London) via the internet about three
weeks in advance - several tour groups are online right now, and the
rest are almost as reachable by fax and telephone. If you have
acquaintances/friends out there, then even better - you may not have
to organise anything as they will know best what to do. It is
cheaper to arrange the hikes when you are right there, but I
wouldn't advise this as you can't guarantee that your attempts will
succeed - all in all, the more prudent action is to plan and book
everything well in advance - and, if possible, in conjunction with
your inward and outward bound flights.
Another good place to see Nepenthes is in Peninsular Malaysia. A no
fail trip would be to travel to one of the three main highland areas
(Cameron Highlands, Genting or Fraser's Hill) where you will find
Nn. ramispina <as opposed to gracillima>, sanguinea and
macfarlanei. In the lowlands (you have a choice of the whole
country really) you can find Nn. ampullaria (regularly
upper-pitchered forms if you travel to Mersing), rafflesiana
(several forms), gracilis (several forms), mirabilis and
albo-marginata. The latter species has an unusual distribution
however - mainly the north and south ends of the western seabord
with scattered localities in between.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Alastair.
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