Finally ....
Similar to my U. endresii backstory, it seems like I've been waiting forever for my N. inermis to produce an upper. Ever since I got the plant, it always inflated a pitcher on each new leaf (lowers) on both the main vine & a basal. However, once it started to vine, it completely stopped inflating pitchers. After several leaves, it started to inflate one but then aborted it. It then skipped several more leaves before eventually sending one down in a very inaccessible area. I can't move the pitcher without untangling pitchers from 4-5 other plants - so the following pics are through glass & far from optimal (my apologies) - but I wanted to document that an upper was finally made before I started to chop the vine for cuttings.
So far, each upper (whether inflated or not) has that same geometric shape to the tendril. I found that a bit odd - was wondering if it had something to do with the way they auto-empty rainwater?very nice Ron! interesting that the tendril has no loop in it.
Oh - believe me - I'd like to leave it alone for a while - especially as the next pitcher (just starting to inflate) has perched itself atop the N. robcantleyi pot (like a king-of-the-mountain). However, the other side: 1) the vine has run from one end of a 4 foot tank to the other - it's out of space, 2) I was pondering the possibility of having some cuttings for the NASC (ideally rooted - as well as N. hamata & N. tenuis) & 3) keeping it & the N. tenuis out of the lights (where the tendrils get fried) is almost a full time job.Don't chop it up just as it's starting to make nice uppers! That would be a tragedy! Let it shine for a few more months at least, don't you think?
tzestan could u please tell me how old is yours Bical? I have one but definitly smaller .
Its so seductive...I can imagine why bugs can't resist the pitchers...and add in the scent of the nectar irresistible!