Paul, I've also been having bad luck with some of their basic aristo hybrids: aristo x spectabilis and aristo x talangensis(?) (this appeared to be incorrectly labeled). I think you mentioned previously that the aristo x spectabilis appeared to be a chimera. Have you seen similar bad growth with their other basic hybrids?
Not really - no. While there have been several reports of "possible Chimaeras" showing up in the
aristolochioides X
spectabilis cross - mine included - I was able to cut out the Chimaera portion of my plant and it has grown quite well ever since. However, I won't be surprised if at some point the chimaera-like activity appears again.
This plant went on to produce a steady stream of superb upper pitchers last summer:
https://nitrogenseekers.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/20140805-212822-77302806.jpg
There is one other BE
aristolochioides cross I've tried, including
aristolochioides X
singalana and that one was a dog IMO: slow grower, very small plant that seemed never to hit its stride - I gave it away. The pitchers were pretty when it made lowers, but the couple of wee uppers I saw were as bland as can be - probably the
singalana genes at fault there. (
N. singalana uppers are very plain and colorless) Since that plant is just one data point, I can't say I think the BE
aristolochioides is to blame for the poor vigor, but I can't help but wonder.
The EP cross of
aristolochioides X
bellii is vastly superior; vigor to beat the band and aesthetically a much more redeeming hybrid. See:
https://nitrogenseekers.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/20131024-120006.jpg
I would also say that the Leilani hybrid N. Involuntary Bliss (
aristolochioides X
mira) is a much better hybrid also, with great vigor, rich color, good size and it makes attractive uppers, which cannot be said for the BE singalana hybrid. Here is N. Involuntary Bliss:
https://nitrogenseekers.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/img_5308.jpg
So the question is: is the BE
aristolochioides both a weak plant and a poor breeder? (if in fact that is the plant they've employed in hybridizing) I don't know, but in my limited experience, everyone else's
aristolochioides hybrids are better than the ones BE produces.