Nepenthes globosa, a success story

[rainforest]

The seed propagation of N. globosa (sp. Viking) has come full circle in less time than similar discoveries of other nepenthes species solely propagated and distributed as tc plants.
Besides seed grown original species we are finding a wide array of hybrids due to the ease to obtain this species as a specific genetic entity.

I would like to hear a similar tune for species such as N. hamata, spectabilis, bellii, etc.

M

[sockhom]

Hi Michael!

The name "N. globosa" is not correct at all.
There is no description of this species, just mere rumors. Marcello Catalano has even been told that Shigeo Kurata might consider, after all, this thaï plant as a subspecies of N. mirabilis .

I agree with you that it's strange that N. bellii, a lowland and quite easy species, has not met a frank success. I'm less suprised that the highland species you mentioned have not been as easy as the steady N. "Viking".

Besides, it is now clear to me, and to many growers, that the taxa from old Indochina (described species and unindentified taxa) including N. "Viking" are very easy to grow and very fast growers.
So I'm not suprised that N. "Viking" story is so successful.


François.

[rainforest]

Other lowlands with no success stories:
N. northiana
N. merrilliana
N. truncata (except from greenhouse plants by EP*)
N. albomarginata
N. bicalcarata (xcept from greenhouse plants by EP*)
N. burkei (a recent acquisition but so few seed originals)
N. gracilis
N. khasiana
N. maxima (except from greenhouse plants by EP*)
N. rafflesiana (except from wild sources those lucky to have access to them)
N. tomoriana
N. vieillardii
N. insignis
N. pervillei
N. neo-guineensis
N. campanulata
N. mapuluensis
N. ventricosa (except from greenhouse plants by EP*)
N. mirabilis v. echinostoma
N. alata (except from greenhouse plants by EP*)
N. eustachya
N. sumatrana
N. benstonei
There are many others. While it may be the reason why there are just one clone available it may be due to non-interest by these growers who has propagated them for sale.
* I would love to add another source where we can buy seed original plants to be posted after any of these species.
M

[boris]

I've got here far more than hundred of seeds germinated maximas and also some rafflesianas but most I got vikings from different sources. The problem is to get the seeds.
Also I see a problem for the very example of maxima. Isn't it a sort of hybrid if make seeds of maximas if they are from different locations?

[rainforest]

One can keep the integrity of a "population" of a given species, niche specific and breed only among their own locality types. But there hasn't been much success in breaking down any variables by subspecies or variety of any specifics on paper.
The same holds true with many species (i.e. rafflesiana, ampullarian, tentaculata, sanguinea, etc.) but this doesn't discount that this is a true species, it does create genetic diversity.
Which comes down to the wire of N. mirabilis. Botanists (idiots) feel that N. mirabilis v. echinostoma is merely a form of the mirabilis species, yet when you cross a mirabilis x a m. v. echinostoma, we will see "hybrid" results due to the extreme in their peristome type. But they are both mirabilis.
We haven't tapped into the ways of a species yet because making seed of species is not a known subject. All until now all we know is nepenthes plants come from tc plants. There isn't enough work to see if perhaps when you make a batch of N. ampullaria seed from two green parents, will red, or red lip or mottleds come out of this? We are still in the unknown territory of seeing if N. ampullaria could produce every color from any given mating of colors. We see red forms and green forms side by side, perhaps even from the same seed pod, yet we don't have an understanding how this may play a role since we have devoted our life of nepenthes towards tc clones.
There are also very distinct shapes of sp. Viking, whether this is regional or by island form, we don't fully understand the impact of this. The "klom" shape is not evident in everything and the more tubular shape may be commoner or both may be from the same lot of seeds.
This is why we need to start working on making "pure" species from seeds so we can unlock the secrets of nepenthes and truly understand what they're all about.

M

[Dave Evans]

Dear Michael,

While I agree with most of your sentiments, you style of communication has too much static. Anyway, There are something like a hundred and twenty _Nepenthes_ species, and often many subspecies, forms or varieties. Nobody has room to grow out all these plants As more time goes on and seed continues to be collected, and more people continue to become interested in cultivating _Nepenthes_, there will be room for a better genetic diversity within the cultivated plants.

All the plants of _N. truncata_ from all sources are weeds. It is a very vigorous plant.

There is only one female (perfect) clone of _N. adnata_ in TC (AFAIK), but I have twenty something seedlings so you can leave this species off your list, same goes for _N. eustachya_ and _N. burkei_. Just because you don't know about something, doesn't mean it isn't being done or worked on...

TC is a very good method for propagating plants. Nobody ever say you cannot or should not grow _Nepenthes_ from seed or cuttings--Why do you always seem like you're in protest mode, or something? Please collect some more species seed when you have the chance and send me some. I love growing multiple clones and making species seed in cultivation.

[rainforest]

It is difficult to post something in a forum and try to make it VERY clear and yet say it in a tone that moderates it into just discussions. I don't over use caps and increase font sizes. There are things happening in this hobby (I dare say that word any more) that is moving mountains over what has been done so far with the older regime of nepenthes producers.

"There is only one female (perfect) clone of _N. adnata_ in TC (AFAIK), but I have twenty something seedlings so you can leave this species off your list, same goes for _N. eustachya_ and _N. burkei_. Just because you don't know about something, doesn't mean it isn't being done or worked on..."
This is the exact idea I was saying regarding the fact that the average hobbyist will carry nepenthes species production over the bigger producers. Hobbyists producing more seed originals than what larger nurseries can (or willing to) do. The list provided was a sampling of what nurseries/suppliers LACK multiple seed originals of.

I'm very happy to hear that you have so many seed originals in the works. It is with anticipated hopes that you will distribute them (sell, trade or propagate) to other hobbyists to ensure their stay in captivity. But if you just plan on holding them for yourself, then you're not far away from being a disciple of BE or MT in holding the better original clones for yourself.


Michael

As far as the tc clone of N. adnata goes, it's obvious that you haven't flowered it yet or even attempted to make seed with it. I discarded mine after several failed attempts in using it for breeding.

[Dave Evans]

Hi Micheal,

Well it depends on what I can do with the space I have. I plan on making seed of each species I can, hybrids are a far away, secondary objective for me. My adnata flowered, but I didn't have any pollen at the time.