flytrap
Full Member
Canadian CP'ers do it in the snow
Posts: 22
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Post by flytrap on May 9, 2007 16:48:22 GMT
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
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Post by stevestewart on Apr 22, 2008 11:58:54 GMT
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. Take care, Steven Stewart
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Post by birdywatcher on Apr 23, 2008 19:17:35 GMT
Would Nepenthes madagascariensis be a good beginner plant??
Thanks!!
Birdy
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Post by stevestewart on Apr 25, 2008 12:17:51 GMT
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
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Post by birdywatcher on Apr 25, 2008 17:54:49 GMT
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
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Post by stevestewart on Apr 26, 2008 12:25:11 GMT
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
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Post by stevestewart on Apr 27, 2009 19:12:08 GMT
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
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Post by Dave Evans on Apr 27, 2009 22:20:09 GMT
Dear Stephen,
You can also donate the images to Jan's CP Data Base, for a more permanent location...
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Post by stevestewart on Apr 28, 2009 11:21:07 GMT
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
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Post by Dave Evans on Apr 30, 2009 1:38:08 GMT
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...
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Post by stevestewart on Apr 30, 2009 19:38:18 GMT
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?
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aslan
Full Member
Posts: 13
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Post by aslan on May 8, 2009 14:22:01 GMT
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: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepenthes_madagascariensisAlso, 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
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Post by stevestewart on May 8, 2009 19:37:36 GMT
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
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Post by manders on May 8, 2009 21:54:00 GMT
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.
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Post by stevestewart on Jul 31, 2009 15:29:37 GMT
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
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