Home Sweet...Argh!

[colinliew]

Hello all, I've just returned from a ten day vacation in Korea.

While I was away, my parents were watering my neps for me, and they were pleased to let me know that it had been raining every day so there was nothing to worry about.

When I got home today, I went to check my plants, with full confidence that they would be in the pink of health.

Guess what.

Each pot weighed about 5g. The water in the sphagnum evaporated in one (mildly hot) day, and in that short period of time I lost about six pitchers, and many of the leaves are suffering as well.

I've just given them immediate water shock therapy (read: generous amounts of rainwater) and am hoping for the best. I hate to think what will happen while I am away on military service for the next two years.

In another news, I am about to go on a trip to Cameron Highlands (Malaysia) and am planning to do some nepenthes hike-and-seek. Anyone know if I'll be able to find any?

Colin

 

[agustinfranco]

Colinliew:

Before i say this to you, please i would like you to know that it is not my intention to make you feel bad in any way, but if you are planning a 2 year trip to the military without anyone knowing how to take care of your neps, well you may kiss them goodbye now.

I have become so paranoid, that before i go somewhere, i have to make sure my plants are fine and i can't stay anywhere long enough without thinking about the welfare of my plants. Unfortunately, when one takes this hobby very seriously, it becomes a lifestyle in which your freedom is severely compromised

 

[colinliew]

Yes, I'm well aware of that Gus, it's been on my mind for some time now.

Thankfully I'm working on the problem, and I won't be out of home all two years. I will either show my parents to take care of my plants properly while I'm away, or deposit them with a friend.

 

[Cindy]

You may want to consider CP Hotel, eh?

 

[kltower]

Well Colin, I know how you felt.

When I left on a 4 weeks tour to Canada and Hong Kong with my family, I entrusted my nephew to look after my nepenthes, orchids, some parrots, a turtle, a tortoise and a rabbit. Luckily it was raining during November, for when I came back I lost 3 nepenthes plants and some orchids.

Yes, we do need a nepenthes hotel. That's why I am always weary going on a long trip.

As for your trip to Cameron Highlands, you will find it hard to spot any nepenthes on the main road or off the road.

But, if you have a car or prepared to hike, go up the Telekom station at Gunung Brinchang. The road to Gunung Brinchang is about 100m from Hotel Equatorial. Near the Telekom station (at the peak) look hard at the road embankments, you will find N. macfarlanei.

You will be hard pressed to find N sanguinea - they are lost to souvenir hunters.

Choong

 

[Copper]

What a business idea. Check your neps in so that they won't check out.

 

[colinliew]

I was considering it even before I left, Cindy, now I'm sold

kltower, thanks for the info... if you could, would you be so kind as to PM me the Malay term for nepenthes? I believe it translates literally to "monkey cup". I'd like to ask the locals if they know where I can find any.

 

[Cindy]

periok kera (monkey's cooking pot) - taken from "A Guide To The Carnivorous Plants of Singapore"

Once I've established my balcony, I'll leave some space for your plants to check in...

 

[fatboy]

While I hate to disagree, I saw PLENTY of sanguinea on the road up to the Telkom station about 2 months ago. There are no big patches but check out some of the corners on the road just below the station.

Cheers, Troy

 

[kltower]

Hi Troy,

I used to go up to Cameron Highlands and Fraser Hills for holidays quite often. And you can spot pitcher plants growing along the road embankments leading up the hills. On my last visits to both places last year I looked very hard for them.

In Brinchang, I even drove off the main roads in search for them. I only saw a few high up the road embankment (ie not reachable unless one bother to climb).

I saw many being sold in the market though, along with the wild orchids.

But I know of a few places around Genting Highlands that still have alot of N. sanuinea, N. ramispina and N. gracilis.

Choong

 

[fatboy]

Hi Choong

I didn't see the place a few years ago so it's highly likely (and sad too, I guess) that what looked like "plenty" to me is actually only the dregs of what it used to be. As you say, almost all the plants that I saw were right up above the road and too high to photograph. I would say they are only there because the collectors were too lazy to climb up. I too saw LOTS for sale in many of those garden shops along the roadside that also sell cacti, etc. There are even a few stalls that adertise themselves as "wild orchid" specialists!
Figure that out...

Cheers, Troy.

 

[colinliew]

I'm back! Like Choong said, nepenthes are very scanty by the roadside, but surprisingly enough, I managed to find a few with the help of a good guide!

Near the summit (close to 6666ft), there is a jungle trail that affords good views of many nepenthes. I saw two species, but couldn't identify them. Pictures will be posted soon.

Lower down, I managed to go off the road to catch sight of N. sanguinea, N. reinwardtiana (very rewarding find!) and one more nep species I was unable to identify, for a total of five nep species on Gunung Brinchang itself!

I'm ecstatic, and once the pictures are developed they'll be posted right here.