The question was asked how I am getting it to grow. I am amazed to learn this is a difficult species, for me, this grows better than most of my other Nepenthes! When I received the plant, it was the size of a half dollar, and no pitchers. Less than a year later it is 3 inches high and has about 6 pitchers, although they are small. I have the plant in pure live moss, with a layer of pearlite on the bottom. It is a 6 inch by 6 inch square pot, which allows for the tendrils to nestle into the moss. The sphagnum is a dense short red variety that does not overwhelm the plant. The pitchers and some of the leaves are lightly covered by the growing moss, which I occasionally tamp down if things get out of hand. The plant sits in tray watering, always. Occasionally I spray the leaves. perhaps once a day when temps. are highest. Day temps are in the high 70's - mid-80's, dropping to the high 50's at night in the cooler months. In summer, it just remains at ambient room temperature, with perhaps a 5
degree drop. Unlike the highlanders, this does not affect its pitchering. It is in a tank with (8) 40 watt assorted spectrum lights about 7 inches from the plant, and 100% humidity. I notice if the sphagnum grows, so does the plant. I do not feed the plant. Possibly the trap production is a result of being hungry? It is important that the tendrils be allowed to sink a bit into the moss I think, and not overhang the pot. Well, there you have it. I am very pleased to learn that my cultivation is good, as I hope to impress my source to part with a N. hamata come spring. I have a cool cellar that never gets above 65F, even in the hottest days of summer, so I hope that I can soon try my hand at some real highlanders. Thanks all for the kind welcome in my previous post: I have been up to my ears with Pygmy Drosera gemmae sending, with little time to respond! At least my Nepenthes are fairly low maintenence!
Of course, I will now have to have a greenhouse of some sort. I realize this after seeing Nep G's wonderful home for his plants! I was just given some very nice plants from a forum member who is no longer able to grow them, and my terrarium space is getting smaller with every day they grow. Right now all the plants are small, but after reading Swords comments I realize that I had better come up with a plan, and soon! The highlanders love new York winters, and it seems to me the rapid temperature drop at night is a big part of their happieness. I am learning much from you all, this is a great forum!!
degree drop. Unlike the highlanders, this does not affect its pitchering. It is in a tank with (8) 40 watt assorted spectrum lights about 7 inches from the plant, and 100% humidity. I notice if the sphagnum grows, so does the plant. I do not feed the plant. Possibly the trap production is a result of being hungry? It is important that the tendrils be allowed to sink a bit into the moss I think, and not overhang the pot. Well, there you have it. I am very pleased to learn that my cultivation is good, as I hope to impress my source to part with a N. hamata come spring. I have a cool cellar that never gets above 65F, even in the hottest days of summer, so I hope that I can soon try my hand at some real highlanders. Thanks all for the kind welcome in my previous post: I have been up to my ears with Pygmy Drosera gemmae sending, with little time to respond! At least my Nepenthes are fairly low maintenence!
Of course, I will now have to have a greenhouse of some sort. I realize this after seeing Nep G's wonderful home for his plants! I was just given some very nice plants from a forum member who is no longer able to grow them, and my terrarium space is getting smaller with every day they grow. Right now all the plants are small, but after reading Swords comments I realize that I had better come up with a plan, and soon! The highlanders love new York winters, and it seems to me the rapid temperature drop at night is a big part of their happieness. I am learning much from you all, this is a great forum!!