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Post by dvg on May 12, 2008 18:38:11 GMT -5
Hi all. I've decided to convert an unused 33 gallon aquarium into a habitat for some of my Highland Neps. (N. macrophylla, N. rajah, N. villosa as well as N. lowii for now). Varun, I know you might have some valuable insight to add here, as you have been studiously engaged with this subject over the last little while. I was concerned about keeping the temperatures in the 70's during the day(not a problem,they will be growing in the basement), but how critical is it to get the temperatures into the 50's at night? I could move them into the cool room at night and mist them before bedtime or would it be better to keep them in their terrarium and try to find a way to cool that environment during the night. Just how critical is it, that the night temps drop and really how much should I reasonably be aiming for? And how much light should these babies be receiving? I don't want to fry them, but I do want them to grow. So far I haven't done anything special with my N. lowii and it seems happy and is pitchering and slowly growing. I'm no expert here and would appreciate some help from some of you who have been through the trials and tribs of growing these ultra highland exotic babies. ;D ;D ;D regards, dvg
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Post by vraev on May 12, 2008 18:52:53 GMT -5
lol man! I can't really give too much guidance apart from what i have read around different places. My rajah and lowii are doing fine at temps of 78F or so during the day and night at 60F. This is basement condtions and this seems to be working for GROWING and survival of those neps for now. Other than that...I cannot tell much as I just got into the basement just a couple of weeks ago. They have all slowed down and have yet to form a pitcher in these conditions.
I would kill to get a macrophylla and some of other plants...but they are too expensive. Anyways.... yeah! based on what i have read...the macro is not as difficult as a villosa. SImilar to the lowii, it can grow in regular highland conditions. Both of them arise at the same conditions on Mt. Trusmadi around 1600m or so ASL.
In general on those species.... Villosa is the only one which might require some care. Literature and other growers experience rates this species to need around 3C or 4C temperatures during night time. IT becomes really picky as it starts to get older. THe others...rajah, macro and lowii are standard highland neps and are waaay easier than the macro in terms of night time temp drop. Giving them 60F should probably be enough.
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Post by dvg on May 12, 2008 19:07:14 GMT -5
Hey, thanks for the input on these Varun! I might have to look into finding a way to get a chiller going over the N. villosa. Lol maybe a few icecubes on the sphagnum surrounding this small little plant or an ice cube bed time shower. Brrrrrrrr. It starts to get interesting, creating these micro climates for these guys. I didn't realize the villosa had to get down to 3C or 4C. I'll see what I can do. Thanks again.
regards, dvg
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Post by vraev on May 12, 2008 19:13:35 GMT -5
note: 3 - 4 C is the given detail from jeff shafer who wrote on article on villosa cultivation. no probs man! Do let me know if u r planning on getting these plants... i want a macro reaal baaad.
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Post by dvg on May 12, 2008 19:44:13 GMT -5
Those plants (except the N. lowii, I already have that one), all cleared customs today and should be in my possesion hopefully by Thursday at the latest. I'm pacing like a proud papa, eagerly waiting for my babies to arrive. I've really wanted the macrophylla and villosa for a while now and would dearly love a N. edwardsiana to complete the triplets. ;D ;D ;D I'll no doubt have to be patient about that one. I don't think I've ever seen it listed for sale. Maybe someday....
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Post by vraev on May 12, 2008 20:06:16 GMT -5
Lol! Edwardsiana is probably the hardest plant to find available. Money can't buy that plant.....its sooo rare in cultivation. Believe me...I have looked around. Similar to N.klosii which is another very hard to find plant....but among the most prettiest neps around, edwardsiana is only found in a handful of collections with most being in the very experienced asian collectors from the east. Those that have them are in the Biz for decades and have made the move at the right second to grab them when malesiana tropicals was still hardcore into nepenthes sale. Considering macrophylla....have you ordered these from wistuba?? Man!!! I would love those plants as well. One day....one day I will grow them to thrive...its a personal promise. Same for my rajah. Do let me know when u plan on getting more neps.
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Post by dvg on May 12, 2008 20:27:27 GMT -5
Wow you do know a lot about the Nep subculture!! I've never heard of N. klosii before, I'm going to have to Google that one. I'll let you know when I'm making my next Nep order. I've never ordered from Wistuba before, but they do have an incredible selection. I'm very tempted at the moment. I'll have to see how the next little while plays out.
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Post by vraev on May 12, 2008 20:32:14 GMT -5
You should search for N.klossii with a double s and a double i. lol! I am not an expert by anymeans...but I do spend a lot of my life just reading a lot of stuff on these things. Man! atleast once a day I feel like getting some plants from wistuba...but they are expensive + unhardened which makes the mortality rate pretty high. Unless I can keep my current plants thriving and unless I can make a nice setup that can hold them for a while, morally I need to back off making purchases as they would just die and suffer under sub-par conditions.
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Post by dvg on May 12, 2008 20:34:45 GMT -5
Wow, a man with a conscience. Impressive! Your plants will love you. ;D ;D
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Post by vraev on May 12, 2008 20:42:14 GMT -5
LMAO! I hope they do...I just adore them and do whatever I can in my control for them. ;D
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Post by dvg on May 13, 2008 0:52:03 GMT -5
There was one more Nep that I am interested in acquiring and I'm surprised it's name hasn't come up already: N. hamata. I really like the 'claw and teeth' styling of it's peristome. It might have to be next on my wish list. It's unfortunate more of these beauties aren't available in Canada. Maybe in time, they'll be made more readlily within our reach.
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Post by vraev on May 13, 2008 2:14:24 GMT -5
well...personally I would choose a macrophylla over a hamata. But yeah...I would definitely get it right after that choice though. lol!
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Post by dvg on May 13, 2008 8:22:14 GMT -5
Choices, choices, eh. If we lived in Borneo on a mountain, we could just enjoy them in all their native splendor, ;D instead of coveting them for our basements, terrariums, greenhouses...alas it isn't so.
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Post by vraev on May 13, 2008 11:09:01 GMT -5
True man! If I had lived on borneo ... lol! I would name my favorite individuals and come and just go to check them out everyday. lol! + I would never ever have to worry about humidity issues....heat issues .. which I am currently facing. + they are the best specimens of neps in the world.
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