Question
N.unknown
hello there!
I bought this Nepenthes from a local nursery 2 days ago. I have left it on a table by a shaded window in my room where it is around 30 degrees Celsius and around 50% RH.
As I read more and more about these curious yet exotic plants, I just realized I don't actually know what kind of Nepenthes mine is.
Here's several photos:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/Loop/DSC00996.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/Loop/DSC00993.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v409/Loop/DSC00995.jpg
It looks like either a N.sanguine or a N. iwoii
As I only had it for 2 days, I never really noticed much growth. When should I be expecting my pitchers to open up? there are 2 pitchers about 1-1 1/2 inch, along with 2 more hanging off the side, but the large ones have covers that are closed and the small ones are not matured enough to grow pitchers yet.
Thanks a lot for your time.
Sincerely,
Kelvin Lau
AnswerHi Kelvin,
Based on the waxy appearance, and the slight red trying to develop I would say this is Nepenthes ventricosa. It will be easier to tell when the plant has more developed pitchers. Nepenthes sanguinea tends to have a whitish residue on its leaves, and Nepenthes lowii is almost never available through regular retail outlets. You almost always have to buy them through cp dealers.
Most Nepenthes are fairly slow growing, so noticing new growth will be more in terms of weeks and months rather than days. They are not plants for the impatient gardener. Your new pitcher that is on the plant should open in a few days, but it takes at least 3-4 weeks for a new one to develop and open.
To get the best growth out of your plant, place it in a moderately sunny window and keep the soil moist. Most Nepenthes like it much sunnier than than the mass marketed packages say that they are packed in. For more information on growing them visit: http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
