N. sibuyanensis as a breeding ingredient

[rainforest]

Many hybrids using this tubby species have produced great progeny. We will observe the various hybrids made to date and watch and observe how they develop over time. While still not as many hybrids as N. ventricosa, N. sibuyanensis has already produced hybrids with outstanding results.

Michael

[rainforest]

When N. thorelii is crossed with N. sibuyanensis, we get a larger version of thorelii with tubby-thorelii-like pitchers. This hybrid is relatively sun-tolerant and actually grows best in bright light.

The plant has endured drier conditions and still produced decent sized pitchers. The compost should be well-draining yet allowed to hold some moisture. This hybrid has done well even when kept very dry for several days.
Another colored form of this hybrid


Here is an upper pitcher from the same plant. Note the brighter green coloration this hybrid puts out.


M

[rainforest]

N. Medusa ( a hybrid incorporating N. bellii) grows rather differently than thorelii x sibuyanensis. This hybrid likes a more moist condition with good air circulation and lighting. This hybrid tends to produce multiple pups and rapidly makes a cluster.
For many growers this hybrid is considered difficult or more for the advanced hobbyist. It grows rather well but for some, produces few if any pitchers.

As mentioned, this hybrid tends to like it wetter than others and find this hybrid easier to grow as a hanging basket specimen grown in a well draining mix. The most important task is the watering. Water this frequently and deeply allowing the excess to flow freely from the media. This hybrid is also a heavy feeder, a light but frequent fertilizing is necessary for this to become firmly adjusted. Lighting may be somewhat subdued to filtered. Avoid stressing these plants out from dividing them up. This hybrid enjoys itself as a clump but develops into the vining stage early ready to just take off and grow!

Michael

[rainforest]

The beautiful tubby pitchers of N. sibuyanensis combined with the coloration of macfarlanei is evident in this combination for size and color. In the opening pitcher, we see a shy N. sibuyanensis in the undertone.

N. macfarlanei x sibuyanensis makes compact leaves in relation to its length and rosette remains wide and compact until reaching the vining stage where it becomes almost truly N. sibuyanensis in nature.

The same pitcher a few weeks later.


M

[rainforest]

A favorite is N. rafflesiana dark x sibuyanensis.

These are upper pitchers resembling N. rafflesiana uppers with a tubby disposition to them. Plant habit are somewhat linear leaves closer to sibuyanensis and tendril attachment not as extended as seen in the true sibuyanensis species.
A side view of another upper pitcher.

Note how the lid is attached to the pitcher being somewhat sib-like without the extended raised peristome attachment as the true raff species.

M

[rainforest]

This hybrid which will also be featured cross topic in the truncata group is N. sibuyanensis x truncata squat.
This hybrid appears to be better colored, more stocky pitchers and leaves with a more compact rosette (so far) growth habit.

The coloration of the peristome is much more vivid and like N. truncata, bears a wide lip.

Striping is also evident, a trait from N. truncata.


M

[rainforest]

N. sibuyanensis x fusca

The best of both worlds again are combined here in this great fusca hybrid.
We see so few hybrids involving N. fusca that actually enhance their features. This combination with the sib actually increases the appearance of fusca. Broadening its peristome and perhaps adding some red tones to this hybrid are some attributes married in this pairing.

The plant on occasion produced some huge whopping pitchers, bigger than the likes of N. fusca has ever seen. This hybrid still focuses on fusca's narrowed lid shape and speckled brown coloring that the species is named after.

N. sibuyanensis x fusca upper

See the uncanny resemblance to N. fusca even in this sibuyanensis hybrid..

M

[rainforest]

N. sibuyanensis x (spectabilis x beccariana)

This is a highly variable cross with an array of colors that can be dark, or bright or multi-hued. The complexities of crossing a primary hybrid (with a history of variation) to a species creates offspring capable of having no two alike.
This complex hybrid sports leaves that are very much like spectabilis, they can also color up solid maroon in color and also have the compactness of N. sibuyanensis. This hybrid also produces numerous basals which can make the pot full of plantlets. While the lower pitchers are vivid, the uppers can also be attractive. Most sibuyanensis hybrids have uppers which are for the most part green with some color or shape close to their other parent. The uppers of this hybrid still bear flecks and forms an attractive appearance over a pale green tube.
There is a controversial topic whether a true N. sumatrana was used here or perhaps Beccarina. As this makes more sense in the appearance of the pitchers.

M

[rainforest]

N. sibuyanensis x Mixta
This is a beautiful tubby Mixta-hybrid with hints of pink from sibuyanensis added in. While the lower pitchers may be red, magenta, pink or even mottled. This is a temporary phase.


Uppers tend to be more green but produced prolifically.


This will be a good building block plant to own.

M

[rainforest]

N. sibuyanensis x ampullaria Mersing
The pitchers resemble ampullaria almost dead-ringer, but at this stage these could some day become giant ampullaria like its giants found in nature.

This plant has been grown sunny and shaded and so far has produced similar results.
This is an example of a plant grown hard in very bright sunlight.

Note the speckled leaves from the sun.
As these develop, I hope to post some giant ampullaria-like pitchers some day.

M

[rainforest]

An upper pitcher of N. macfarlanei x sibuyanensis


This has been a good grower for me in warm climates. I hope this will flower soon, as I would like to cross it with a few things.

Michael

[Dave Evans]

Wow, I must not like N. sibuyanensis much, cause the only plants I like are the "N. thorelii * N. sibuyanensis and N. 'Medusa'.

Still these plants might turn things around through further breeding. Good luck with them.

Anyone got a N. ampullaria * N. sibuyanensis? That should have an interesting peristome... And nice fat shape.

[rainforest]

N. sibuyanensis x ampullaria

N. ampullaria's features seem to overpower those of sibuyanensis. But in time, these may get larger.

M

[cloudsitter]

That's cool I'd love one of those one day.

[unclemasa]

In hybrids sibuyanensis seems to act a bit like truncata by showing a strong influence in pitcher shape and always bringing size. N. sibuyanensis hybrids are beefy! Another thing sib seems to do in hybrids is enlarge or open up the mouth of the pitcher and enhance the peristome to some degree.

The negative side for me is the strong tendency to round-out pitcher shape. I like sib hybrids best when it opens the mouth and enhances the peristome but is not overwhelmingly dominate in determining pitcher shape. I like the sib x truncata and my favorite sibuyanensis hybrid ( .... one of my favorite plants in all of my collection) sibuyanensis x TM are both outstanding.

I'd like to see it crossed with some other species with dominate shape genes like veitchii ( .. has this been done?) or talangensis. I also wonder what you could make with sibuyanensis and some of the smaller highland vines (glabrata, inermis, mikei, etc.).