Question
Hello! Me again. Haven't asked anything in a few weeks, thought maybe i was
over due, lol, kidding. I live in southern California, zone 9. I purchased a D.
regia, from you guys a few weeks ago and since it arrived i've had it about
three weeks now. Just wondering if this might be the "big easy" cultivar? I
hear most ppl can't keep one alive unless it's the "big easy." Just curious
since i was able to repot it and it's growing pretty well. Sure, it lost 3 of the
original leaves it came with but in the past week and a half it has put out one
leaf all the way and it has three other leaves coming out.
Also, my brother bought me a N. rafflesiana and Judith Finn as a present and
I was wondering if you have any advice on their care. I have tried researching
everywhere for their care but everyone seems to fight over their proper care
so it just confuses me. I grow highlanders outside in partial sun. I know that
N. rafflesiana is a lowlander, but not sure what N. Judith Finn is(I think its
parents are both highlanders). N. rafflesiana  might not do to well outside
because of the temperature drop. I have a NE facing windows that gets bright
light all day and direct late afternoon sun. Would that be fine? In my house
the temperature is usually 70-90F and humidity is almost always above 50%,
usually a lot higher in the summer. Sorry, this is my first lowlander. I hear it's
a pretty easy one too. Just trying not to kill a present given to me. Thanks for
all your help !

Answer
Hi Manuel,

I'm not sure if the regia was a Big Easy or not.  Some of them have gotten mixed in with the regular ones.  We haven't really seen much of a difference between the two.  From what I've heard, the name of the plant has less to do with it's ease of growth than being named after the movie.

N. rafflesiana is pretty easy for a lowlander.  They are tolerant of a bit lower humidity.  I wouldn't let them get into the 40's, however for temperature.  If you can keep it 60's or higher it will be much happier.  I've had pretty good luck with raff's in the house.  Your window should be fine.

Judith Finn is a bit more of a dilemma.  It would be considered an intermediate technically, but does seem to like it warm.  I have to confess that this is one of my least favorite Nepenthes.  It's slow growing and not particularly pretty.  For awhile I thought it was a humidity issue, but they don't grow any faster in our humid Nepenthes house.  Just keep it in the same conditions as your N rafflesiana and give it time, lots of time. :)


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com