Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Nepenthes ampullaria 'Lime Twist': The Arrival

This was the other birthday present I had mentioned that I had to wait, (wringing my hands,) for. I had seen pictures online of Borneo Exotics' 'Lime Twist' clone and loved it. I usually can't afford the latest and greatest releases from Nepenthes nurseries, (and I certainly would never ask someone else to buy me something expensive,) so I didn't think anymore about it.

I did check to see what my favorite vendor had up on his website a few weeks ago though, and there it was, (at a good price none the less!) I then had one of those moments when you debate your need for a particular item. My mom is a plant hoarder too, so she loves to give these kind of gifts as much as I like receiving them. I have to pick her out something really good for the upcoming holidays in return for this one.

So here it is, the package!

Awww yeaaaaa...

How it came packaged
Some tiny pitchers on it




The best part? It came with two growth points!



I always prefer getting plants bare root. I re-pot everything new right away anyway, plus it's safer for the plant to travel that way. Nepenthes are particular about their conditions and through some trial and error I know what works for mine here. I'd rather deal with the growth delay of the shock of a transplant and a move all at once. I've found it's just easier on everybody; the plant can go undisturbed for longer, gets potted ready for my growing conditions allowing for an easier adjustment, and I don't have to mess with it again for a long time.

A nice healthy root system

Re-potted. Although I trust this vendor, little ampullaria 'Lime Twist' will still be quarantined for about a week anyway. Then it goes into the lowland tank next to the other ampullaria (the 'Brunei Red' from last week's post,) so this one will have an impressive big brother or sister to inspire it to grow well. If nothing else I know it's a good spot in the tank for amps.

Re-potted

Tiny pitchers!
I know it's not much to look at yet, but when this one grows up a little, it will be stunning. The pitchers will have light lime green peristomes and  red bodies with harlequin type spots of darker and lighter reds.

You will very rarely see an online nursery or vendor recommendation in this blog. I don't usually have strong feelings about a place to bother for a few reasons. If they do their part of the transaction correctly your order should be processed in a timely manner,  the plants should be shipped fast, packed well, and arrive healthy. That's nothing to rave about, that's just what should be expected. I also will never put up a bad review because sometimes unexpected things happen and unless it's a total ripoff, I believe in second chances. Most importantly, I really don't want people coming after me about something I said when their experience turns out different.

That being said, here is the first (and hopefully not last?) time I actually do have something I feel confident enough to put out there. Par O Bek Orchids/ExoticPlantsPlus.com has been my go to place for Nepenthes, to the point where I really don't order from anywhere else anymore. Tony Paroubek takes better care of them for a better price than anywhere else. Highly recommended, skip the bigger/more famous carnivorous plant nurseries here that overcharge for smaller Nepenthes. I've consistently received better then expected service, Nepenthes, or both, with every order.

6 comments:

  1. (Psst! You have three homophones in this post that need to be changed!)

    I'm surprised that it's even possible to ship Nepenthes this late in the year. I knew some were less tropical than others, but I didn't think any of them were able to take that much cold, either. Is this typical? Are there Nepenthes spp. that couldn't be shipped at this time of year?

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    1. Thanks Mr. S, I'm not the strongest writer anymore, most of my writing comes in brief documentation, acronym, and shorthand form for work. I found two and fixed them, I'll have to go back and look for the third, I'll find it.

      It is possible to ship Nepenthes year round depending on where they're coming from or going to. Most places will offer heat packs and it is standard to use 2-3 day priority flat rate for shipping them. They are much more tolerant than people give them credit for. This species in particular is of the least cold tolerant of all, but it was still 100% fine, not even a sign of the usual stress related leaf wilt or lid droop that they do when they've had a bad time in the mail. This one was shipped without a heat pack too, probably would've needed one if I had ordered it in December though. There are also species that need cold nights, like 45 F nights to survive long term that would be more likely to be unhappy shipped mid summer to Miami. The point is, 2-3 days in less than adequate conditions is fine for any Nepenthes as long as the plants don't literally freeze or bake to death. Most vendors will also watch the weather and hold a shipment in cases of extreme heat or cold.

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  2. This one will look lovely after it has recovered from shipping. I've been thinking of buying this plant but I don't have enough room for it.

    After I rebuild my lowland nepenthes terraria I will sure give N. ampullaria 'Lime Twist' a go. Good luck with this and hopefully it starts growing soon. And better to say it later than never, happy birthday. :)

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    1. Thanks! It should recover shortly, I'll move it into the LL tank before I have to leave for a week on Monday. I'll post updates on how this one's coming along once it makes a pitcher large enough to show some real color. This is the nicest clone BE has made in a long time, so I'm pretty excited for it to grow up.

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  3. It's a beautiful looking plant! Congrats! Looking forward to seeing it grow bigger to its spectacular form & seeing more of its lime green. It's great to have a mum who loves plants also. Ps, Hope you had a very happy birthday! :)

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    1. Thanks for the birthday wishes. I can't wait to see this one mature either!

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