Neos and friends

[longor]

Hi Guys, Finally i have some half decent connection here so I can post some phots, these are only a sneak preview

Neo Lower pitcher, green form



there were no moss around, so the lower pitcher is submerged in dirt instead



Upper pitcher of the large squat variety



other neps to be found, are amps


this type is growing in the shrubs, there are other amps growing on full blazing sun, it was so hot I nearly passed out from the heat.

then there's maximas, only seedlings were found growing on the ground





and there was also some Hybrids, this one is Ampullaria x Neoguineensis (upper pitcher)



the location is facing the ocean at about 500-700m ASL, very hot! open area, very dry aswell.

Neoguneensis come in variety of colours, and I think there is a squat form and an elongated form (post pitcures soon). Anyway, hope you enjoy them.

Cheers

[lol]

Did you look into what kind of soil the plants were growing in? It looks pretty rocky.

[longor]

red soil

[lol]

longor said:

red soil

Lol . It frustrates me that nobody who looks at these plants in the field and the conditions they grow in never pay any darn attention to what the plant's roots are growing in. I guess since our heads are in the air and never touch the earth, we never think about it either (though it's just as important). Was the "red soil" kind of like clay or do you not know? Thanks.

[longor]

i'm no clay/dirt expert, but If you give me your address i'll be more than happy to send you samples of what neps roots grow in.

[longor]

better still you do the travel and worry about soil, I preffer to focus on the neps

[isaacgoh]

I have to agree with longor that unless we are professional geologist, there's no way that we can be sure of the soil composition.

I too have found neps in the wild growing in red soil, normally this means a high percentage of clay mixed with sand. As for the exact composition, I think it's best we leave it to the professionals.

Btw, Longor, thanks for the nice pictures. I love the looks of the upper pitcher squat form and maxima!

[cepherum]

Longor,Nice pics... to share. ;D

I thought we can't find maximas on the ground.How many varieties of maxima you found there?
They're beautiful, aren't they?

But the amps grow in red soil, right?

Can't wait for Insignis pics.

[longor]

only one variety of max that I can identify as max. yep, very nice plants. yes the media is probably clay, very dry, you can see in the photos, I'm no geologist, or Dirtologist, so cant say specifically what it is.

amps were also found on the red soil, on embankment and on dried swamp on a different location

hopefully can locate insignis in a week time

Cheers

[longor]

thanks Isac, the pitcures don't do it justice, they look truely amazing.

[sunbelle]

Fascinating pictures, Longor. Look forward to seeing the rest. The lowland maximas from Papua are very interesting, but the neo pics are something we never see.
As for the soil, it appears to be laterite, a soil type common in the tropics. It is lacking in nutrients, but loaded with iron. It looks very much like the soil found in the red hills of Mindanao where N. merrilliana grows.

[mannyherrera]

That's the roundest amp I've ever seen.

[lol]

Iron would give it the red color. I know you guys aren't botanists or other scientists, but I mention the importance of looking at the earth because it's an essential part of how every plant grows. Those who scientifically, or otherwise, study Nepenthes never look at what's going on in the soil, and so that info is largely lacking in cultivation, making growers have to guess as to how to mimic natural conditions. If some would simply take the time to examine the soil and roots, you can actually paint a WHOLE picture of how these plants grow in the wild.

Heck, this is probably my first time of hearing Neps growing in high iron clay soil. Can you see how new things can be learned?

[longor]

Thanks Sunbelle, under the searing heat of the Jayapura Sun at 12pm, I'm now very interested on anythings besides shade and some really cool Neo. But thanks for identifying the Mysterious Soil. I'll take into consideration to post more soil photos on my next post.

Ok, about Nepenthes in Papua, the common species, i.e found on other places lke amps and mirabilis, have made adaptation, like for instance the Mirabilis here develop big rootstock (photos coming). And Manny, if you think that amp is round, wait until I post the "Squat" form of amp!

The red soil is part of an unfinished road, beside the road embangkment are still forest, and neo also grows there, so it just show that they can addapt to the very harsh condition if needed. And it seems that contrary to common believe, amps don't neceserilly need wet condition, they grow on the same soil, sympatric with neo, and they seem fine.

As for hybrid, I think everywhere i go to a location with 2 or more species growing I always find hybrids. there were lots of strange looking amp seedlings, but don't know if they are crossed with max or with neo.

about the root, as i've mentioned, mirabilis here developed a very stocky bulbous root system, with the black hair mass present aswell. As for Neogueenensis, they have very loong "tap root" and extensive black hair mass roots aswell.

Michael, I think neps can grow on alot of different soil, the whole Sphagnum Moss or death is a MYTH! Some nurseries here grow Mirabilis in pure compost, and animal manure, no problem. others have them in sand and soil, no problem.

anyway, i'll post more photos soon

Cheers

[lol]

If they can grow in clay, then apparently they are very adaptable. It's impossible to generalize preference as well, because every species truly is different. Heck, I'm now experimenting with growing Neps in some rich earthworm castings, and I don't foresee any problems...