Lets Play . . . "Name That Raff" . . .

[Bohdisattva]

Hello Everybody ;D -

Well, I just got this N. raff (possibly gigantea) yesterday (11/16) and unfortunately upon inspection, it had a couple of broken leaves and in particular a snapped off growth tip The older of the two pitcher is dying off and the other came in with a slit on its side.

The seller thinks that it is a Singapore giant, but I was wondering if you raff fans can verify that or have another ID for it?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.


Bo













Hope these are good enough to give you folks an idea as to the ID of this plant.

Just got a few more clearer pics of the better of the two pitchers (the one with the slit in its gut )

[Michael Catalani]

The pitchers look a little different than the "singapore giants" I've seen circulated. Singapore giants have lower pitchers that have a slightly elongated neck area, which can be seen in the following two links:

www.cpforums.org/gallery/v/nepenthes/raffsg.jpg.html

cpjungle.com/nucraf.htm

[Bohdisattva]

Hiya Mr. Catalani-

Thanks for chimming in.

Do you have any guesses as to the ID of this N. raff if it isn't a Singapore giant?

Other CP forum's said it might be just a typical.

Good Growing,
Bo

[Aidan]

Thread moved to Nepenthes board.

[Michael Catalani]

It looks like the typical version to me as well. A typical rafflesiana is anything but typical, it can get large and showy. It will produce some of the best "wings" of the entire genus.

[rsivertsen]

Over the years, I've raised hundreds of N. raff' seedlings from Borneo to Singapore, and eleswhere, and at this stage, they all seem to look the same to me.

[Bohdisattva]

aidan said:

Thread moved to Nepenthes board.

Hiya Aidan-

Thanks for moving this thread

Bo

[Bohdisattva]

rsivertsen said:

Over the years, I've raised hundreds of N. raff' seedlings from Borneo to Singapore, and eleswhere, and at this stage, they all seem to look the same to me.

Hiya Rsiversten-

Is there a point or stage where N. raffs become noticibly different from others or is it a wait, wait, wait and grow then see?

Good Growing,
Bo

[rsivertsen]

Yeah, the brief time when they produce fully developed lower pitchers, which are only less than 6 pitchers on most plants I've raised, and just before they go into climbing form, when they all look alike again.

This intermediate stage is when they produce the best and largest pitchers, longest tendrils, and the best peristomes; and there are some nice variations here, and some will have color in their leaves as well, even as young seedlings.

The variations I've seen go from nearly all white to red spotted to deep purple and from a fairly smooth and small peristome, to some very coarse and wide peristomes, with a longer "neck" that rises up to the lid.

The size and shape of the pitcher can vary from thin, nearly tubular, to wide bowls.

They grow with many other lowland species, and there is speculation that some populations have other species mixed in their gene pool.