Plant Genera » Nepenthes » Nepenthes madagascariensis
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Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Mar 22, 2007, 6:18pm

Hello all,

I am just testing the new ICPS forum and thought I would post a few Nepenthes madagascariensis photographs. Oddly I am trying to post three photos, and the one of the paniculate male inflorescence refuses to post for me. (at least in the preview window) Any ideas why a photograph would refuse to post? I attempted reloading the file from a disk and made several attempts here on this forum. The photograph seems to load into the photobucket site without any problems ???

This species of Nepenthes seems to like to become dry in between waterings to grow best from my experience here in Florida. I grew this plant in long fibered Sphagnum, and it flowered every spring in a greenhouse.


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Take care,
Steven Stewart


Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by justlikeapill on Mar 22, 2007, 6:24pm

Welcome! I could never get it to do anything for me. It didn't die it just didn't do anything. Excellent pictures!
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by michaelcatalani on Mar 22, 2007, 8:22pm

Nice photo Steven!
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by ludwig on Mar 23, 2007, 4:55am

Steven I have always liked that species but haven't attempted it...would you rate it fairly easy?

As far as your photos, some robots hate special characters and spaces (including underscores) in file names...does your file have anything but alphanumerics? Try renaming the file with just a single syllable word (if you haven't already). Otherwise, I couldn't think of any other reason it won't display here.

(I notice your 2 thumbnails contain dashes and underscores but the full images don't. Try to place full-image URL's in between the IMG tags...this should work with your photo).
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Mar 23, 2007, 11:01am

Thanks all,

ludwig, thanks for the info on posting!
I consider N. madagascariensis an easy species, but for me it is the "cactus" of the genus. (though a cactus would not do well in Sphagnum) . It must become dry between waterings or it gets weak.
Steve
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by phissionkorps on Mar 24, 2007, 3:41am

I just acquired this species a few days ago. Looks like it arrived with some bug damage though :(. Steve, if you have any other tips for growing this species, it would be greatly appreciated. The reason I purchased it is because I heard some folks talking about how they felt it a difficult species, and so I figured I'd give it a try
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Mar 24, 2007, 12:42pm

phissionkorps,

I think few growers have successfully grown and flowered this species due to over watering it. This also poses a problem because it will lose pitchers if allowed to stay dry too long. Young plants can be grown in peat, and don't seem to mind moist conditions.

I always used live Sphagnum as a top dressing and determined that if the live Sphagnum looked healthy, the plants were too wet, while if the live moss was barely alive, the media was just right. I never grew a plant in any larger than a 6"/ 15cm pot. I grew my plants in hanging pots in the same environmental conditions as N. bicalcarata. (hot and humid)

Sphagnum moss is also a problem when treated in this manner. If you have used it, you know that it breaks down rapidly when allowed to go from wet to dry, leaving pockets of air that will cause death to the root system, unless continually checked for sufficient compaction.

Some different growing media may prove superior to Sphagnum for N. madagascariensis to overcome it's wet/dry requirements. I never had success with the mature plants in peat mixes I used because they remained wet for too long during cloudy/wet weather conditions.

Hope this helps,
Steve
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by phissionkorps on Mar 26, 2007, 3:48am

I wonder how it would do in orchid bark or cedar mulch. They seem to dry out on a pretty regular scale (3 days or so) and don't seem to be able to become too wet, since the water drains so rapidly.
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Mar 26, 2007, 6:47pm

Phissionkorps,

I have only used Sphagnum, hopefully other growers will have more experience with other media. If you can find small plants at one of the big retail outlets, it might be worth trying several plants in different mixes.

Steve
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by justlikeapill on Mar 26, 2007, 7:07pm

I MIGHT get a few babes still in the flask. Wish me luck! if anyone has any other tidbits, please post!
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by dpevans on Apr 24, 2007, 7:45am

Dear Clint,

This species likes it hot. As an experiment, I was treating mine like highlanders for the last year, and they did not like it one bit. After a while, they just stopped growing and the new leaves were mis-shapen... Placed into the lowland area, they recovered in about six weeks and have put out a new round of pitchers, which I haven't seen in about nine months.

Warm and hot temperatures is what this species prefers.

I have found that Nepenthes which like drier soils do great in tall pots. The root systems have the room to decide where it wants to be based on your conditions. Also, Nepenthes in general, love fine perlite.

Good growing,
Dave Evans

Quote:
I MIGHT get a few babes still in the flask. Wish me luck! if anyone has any other tidbits, please post!
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by sunbelle on Apr 24, 2007, 2:14pm

Hey Steve,
Bob McMorris has/had a huge madagascarensis in his greenhouse, and it flowered regularly. It would vine up into the rafters where the temperature was easily 100 degrees F every day during the summer. I recall it was a female, and nearly impossible to get to the flowers without a ladder.
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Apr 25, 2007, 7:31pm

Trent,

Bob has told me how he flowered his huge N. madagascariensis female. The second thumbnail I posted is of a young, flowering sized plant. I wish now that I had taken more photos of the flowers. It seems uncommon to have seen any pictures, or heard of growers flowering this species. My one picture of the male inflorescence is not very good.
Bob Ziemers' Humbolt cp photofinder site shows a beautifully cutivated plant in flower, but I can't tell the gender from the photos.

Take care,
Steve
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by endodoc on Apr 27, 2007, 1:11pm

Thanks for this thread, I have a few N. madagascariensis and all have failed or in the process of failing; I was ready to throw the whole bunch of them out before I read the cultural info, I will try several different media and let the forum know my results
Regards
Ed
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by nepsaroundthehouse on Apr 29, 2007, 1:22pm

Oddly I grow my 2 madagascariensis plants outdoors as highlanders and not by choice. I just tried it and they are hanging in there. My bigger plant is flowering right now. It probably would do better in lowland conditions but I can't provide that so it seems to be doing alright outdoors.

Joel
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by flytrap on May 9, 2007, 4:48pm

This is wonderful news! I've never had luck with N madagascariensis.

It is one plant that has always given me trouble... despite the pampering and numerous attempts... so I'm going to source one out up here and attempt to mimic the conditions as described by you folks.

David
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Apr 22, 2008, 11:58am

I found a few more photographs of this species flowering, so I thought I would dig up this old subject and add to it. Just click on the thumbnails for larger images.

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Take care,
Steven Stewart
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by birdywatcher on Apr 23, 2008, 7:17pm

Would Nepenthes madagascariensis be
a good beginner plant??

Thanks!!

Birdy
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Apr 25, 2008, 12:17pm


Apr 23, 2008, 7:17pm, birdywatcher wrote:
Would Nepenthes madagascariensis be
a good beginner plant??
Thanks!!
Birdy


Birdy,

In short, ;)

For the simple fact that N. madagascariensis is a small species and at times readily available, for a low price in retail stores, I think it would be good choice for many beginners. It is not the most spectacular or colorful variety available. When you say beginner, do you mean with plants in general, or carnivorous plants, or Nepenthes?

Many advanced Nepenthes growers have had trouble keeping this plant because of it's unique environmental needs. If you have never grown any Nepenthes, this could work in your favor. Many Nepenthes are typically very unforgiving of drought, and require more water, more often than this species does. It is important to remember that most beginning gardeners kill their first plant(s) with too much, or inconsistent watering.

Tissue culture plants are also disliked by some growers. The N. madagascariensis that are found in retail stores are from a single culture (unless this has recently changed) and some say it is a weak clone.
All of the plants of this N. madagascariensis I have grown were from the same source, and I never had any problems that couldn't be corrected with slight cultural changes with any of them. As you can see in my photographs, the common clone available is vigorous when grown in proper conditions.

Most beginners loose their first Nepenthes (or other carnivorous plant) because it is easy to think that if most of the directions are followed, the plant in question will tolerate one (or more) exception. By the time beginners notice a problem, it is too late.

I'm sure there are others that would disagree with me on this issue, and no two growers have exactly the same conditions. This is why horticulture is pleasing to me. I enjoy finding, hearing and reading about new ways to culture plants.

As with any type of plant you are choosing to grow, it is important not to give up with a single failure! Learn from your mistakes, and try, try again!

Take care,
Steven Stewart
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by birdywatcher on Apr 25, 2008, 5:54pm

Well,
I just got two venus fly traps a few months
ago but they seem to be doing well...I'm just
starting in carnivorous plants and I've been
doing LOADS of research yet every website
says a different story pretty much... And I
think madagascariensis looks nice..

Thanks for any help!!

Birdy :)
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Apr 26, 2008, 12:25pm


Apr 25, 2008, 5:54pm, birdywatcher wrote:
Well,
I just got two venus fly traps a few months
ago but they seem to be doing well...I'm just
starting in carnivorous plants and I've been
doing LOADS of research yet every website
says a different story pretty much... And I
think madagascariensis looks nice..
Thanks for any help!!
Birdy :)


Birdy,

I think you should go for it! I look forward to seeing photographs of your plants in the future!
As for the dfferent stories and advice, it's up to you to decide what/ whom to follow. If your plants thrive, stick with what works for you.
This forum is a good non-profit place to start gathering information. Everyone here gains from your successes (or losses :'() and looks forward to your sharing the experiences.

Take care,
Steven Stewart
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Apr 27, 2009, 7:12pm

Hello all,

I just wanted to bump this thread up to see if ICPS Bob Ziemer would post a link to the inflorescence of this Nepenthes on his Carnivorous plant photo finder.
I was recently asked for any picture of the inflorescence of a horticulture produced N. madagascariensis, only to find the first link on Google has, was this thread. I had told the person to look for the photos on the cp photo finder. Of course I have prints and CD's that I could scan, but for the huge number of students (maybe 2 per year) that have an interest, I have kept the images on photobucket for that purpose.

Take care,
Steven Stewart
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by dpevans on Apr 27, 2009, 10:20pm

Dear Stephen,

You can also donate the images to Jan's CP Data Base, for a more permanent location...

Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Apr 28, 2009, 11:21am

Thank you Dave!

I thought Jan simply had the Humbolt cp photo finder link, except for a few.
I have donated to other databases in the past, but those venues were actively seeking specific photograph donations from their readers.
I would hate to bother Dr. Schlauer (or Bob Z.) with material he does not want. It would be helpful if people knew what is wanted. Bob's site seems to post links to about every cp photo posted anywhere on the web, and openly asks for material he does not have.

Take care,
Steven Stewart


Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by dpevans on Apr 30, 2009, 1:38am

Hello Steven,

Yes, they are looking for images.

I don't think the web-page for the CP Data Base is set up quite right, as there are instructions and other pages I am aware of, but there aren't any links to them on the front page of the CP Data Base web site... It should say they are looking for images, but some how that bit of information is lost somewhere...

Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Apr 30, 2009, 7:38pm

Thank you Dave!

I see what you mean about the setup of Jan's Database.
I typically skip the page that asks for/ discusses photograph submissions, and go straight for the information. It has been a long time since I went at it like I did the first few times, and today.
Now, I have to decide if I should just skip the controversial species photo's, or go ahead, and see what Jan says they are?



Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by aslan on May 8, 2009, 2:22pm

Okay, I'm totally confused. One of my friends got his first Nep, a N. Madagascariensis from a nursery in Ohio, and was growing it as a highlander until I saw this thread and told him about it. Now he's growing it as a lowlander. But just today I was skimming the highland Nepenthes section of the 'Savage Garden,' and Mr. D'Amato put N. Madagascariensis in the highland section? ??? If stevestewart's N. Madagascariensis is thriving in lowland conditions, and Mr. D'Amato's and nepsaroundthehouse's are growing in highland conditions, (Maybe I'm wrong, but that's where I'm thinking Mr. D'Amato would grow them in if that's what it says in his book. Correct me if I'm wrong.) does it matter what conditions it grows in? Is it like N. Maxima, Truncata, & Veitchii that have highland & lowland forms, or is it an intermediate species, or tolerant of highland conditions, or am I missing something here? By tolerant I mean growing well enough to produce pitchers. I hope someone could clear this up for me.
Also, I was looking in Wikipedia about N. Madagascariensis, and it makes it sound like it doesn't like drier conditions at all! I know it isn't all that trustworthy,(Wikipedia) but it says,"This species (N. Madagascariensis) grows along the edges of swamps and in peaty or sandy soils." Here's the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepenthes_madagascariensis

Also, there's a pic on the upper right side of the screen where N. Madagascariensis is growing naturally right next to what I'm assuming is water.(look on the bottom of the photo) Again, is there different forms of this species, or is this a mislabeled picture, or am I missing something here? With these questions I'm not trying to disprove or undermine anything that has been said already, I'm just trying to help my friend grow/not kill his first Nepenthes! I would appreciate anyone clearing this up for me!

Happy growing!

Aslan
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on May 8, 2009, 7:37pm

Hello Aslan!

It is good that you are a bit confused! ;D Just when you think you know everything there is to know! No two growers have the exact same growing conditions. I have never been to Madagascar. :(

Nepenthes are not deciduous or considered to by hardy plants for outdoor growing in most of the U.S., and no species of this family improves when subjected to sub freezing temperatures.

I have read of growers doing well with cool intermediate conditions for N. madagascariensis, but I have not seen it myself.
The person that gave me my first N.m. grew it warm, but too wet. His plants never formed upper pitchers or flowered.
It is important to know that this friend is an expert horticulturist and has grown, propagated and flowered more rare plants than many botanical gardens of the world.

Nepenthes in general like to be more moist than many house plants, and N. madagascariensis needs to be kept moist (not wet) when it is young.

As this species, N. madagascariensis, gets more mature and has a good root system, main stem, and starts producing upper pitchers, it thrives best if allowed to become dry, between waterings.
I found if I've kept my plant cool and moist, fungus began to quickly form on the lower leaves basal shoots and pitchers. This was successfully treated with fungicide, but was absent when grown warm and more dry.

If you want to know for certain which way to grow this species, ask to see plants with lower and upper pitchers, or photographs/ personal examples of the inflorescence & flowers. This is a small species and should be easily flowered in a limited space of 2-3 feet/ 1 meter, but is not (yet) commonly known to flower freely.

I started this (topic) thread because of the exact issues you mention about growing conditions others have published. I hope it has helped other growers.

Take care,
Steven Stewart
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by manders on May 8, 2009, 9:54pm

Some of the confusion is possibly due to the fact that they experience a cooler / drier winter ~16-18C and warm wet summer ~26-30? so they are not strictly low or highland in the same sense that the south east Asian plants are.
Re: Nepenthes madagascariensis
Post by stevestewart on Jul 31, 2009, 3:29pm

Hello,

As Manders has said, this species is not typical for highland or lowland Nepenthes. It may get cooler in the winters in the wild areas of Madagascar, but in cultivation it is easier to keep this species growing if kept warm. If grown cool, be certain not to keep it wet and humid!
As has been stated on another thread on this forum, about this species, great care must be taken when transplanting, or else even a thriving specimen will wilt and die overnight. Top cuttings are much the same, I have only been able to root basals for propagation.

Take care,
Steven Stewart