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N. alata (Nepenthes alata)

Nepenthes alata is a carnivorous climbing vine that forms hanging pitchers. It is an evergreen perennial.

LightSources differ in describing suitable exposure as bright filtered light, partial sun, or bright indirect light; indoors, a bright window is suitable while overly strong direct sunlight should be avoided. It needs bright
WaterKeep the well-drained medium moist and do not allow it to dry completely; regular misting can increase air humidity. The watering method is misting plus top watering, with the medium kept evenly moist.
HumidityThe few available sources report a preferred humidity range of about 60–100 %. It prefers high humidity and is reported to need moderate airflow.
TemperatureThe few available sources report a minimum temperature of about 15.6 °C. Sources differ on its hardiness classifications. It is reported to be frost tender; keep above freezing.
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N. alata illustration

Overview

Nepenthes alata is a carnivorous climbing vine that forms hanging pitchers. It is an evergreen perennial.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its circumscription: it is endemic to the Philippines, and under a narrower taxonomic concept it principally refers to populations in northern and central Luzon. Sources differ on its habitat, describing the more narrowly defined populations from higher elevations and also describing it in montane mossy forests in the Philippines, occasionally on soils formed from ultramafic rock. It is reported from a tropical, highland habitat.

Characteristics

Sources differ, but the mature height is reported at about 400–400 cm; the few available sources report a mature spread of about 10–50 cm. With suitable care, it is reported to extend its vines rapidly while gradually producing larger leaves and pitchers. The leathery leaves have winged petioles and narrow elliptic to oblanceolate or spatulate blades, and the leaves can be modified into lidded pitchers. Male and female flowers are reported to have different floral structures, and flowering may occur intermittently.

Light

Sources differ in describing suitable exposure as bright filtered light, partial sun, or bright indirect light; indoors, a bright window is suitable while overly strong direct sunlight should be avoided. It needs bright light.

Watering

Keep the well-drained medium moist and do not allow it to dry completely; regular misting can increase air humidity. The watering method is misting plus top watering, with the medium kept evenly moist.

Humidity and airflow

The few available sources report a preferred humidity range of about 60–100 %. It prefers high humidity and is reported to need moderate airflow.

Temperature and dormancy

The few available sources report a minimum temperature of about 15.6 °C. Sources differ on its hardiness classifications. It is reported to be frost tender; keep above freezing.

Growing medium and mounting

Use an acidic, low-nutrient, well-drained medium; sphagnum moss or a humus-rich, well-drained mix can be used, while RHS also lists loam. Sphagnum moss is a reported substrate type.

Feeding

For general Nepenthes cultivation, a slow-release chemical fertilizer is reported for regular use during the summer growth period, or a fast-acting liquid fertilizer may be applied more frequently. Nepenthes alata is reported to attract insects with nectar, causing them to fall into the pitchers and be digested.

Propagation

It can be propagated by stem cuttings or seed; general Nepenthes guidance uses vine sections with several nodes inserted into sphagnum moss and kept from drying in bright shade until they root.

Common problems

It may be affected by mealybugs, scale insects, and aphids. Sources differ on diseases: RHS considers disease generally uncommon, while NHK's general Nepenthes cultivation information reports that leaf spot may occur. Identification and labeling can be confused in the horticultural trade: plants formerly cultivated widely as N. alata may be N. graciliflora, while N. × ventrata and other hybrids may also be sold as N. alata. It does not tolerate frost or low temperatures and should be kept from freezing conditions.

Identification

Morphology and coloration vary considerably; pitchers range from green to red, with an enlarged lower portion and a nearly cylindrical upper portion. Under a narrower taxonomic concept, the core populations are those from northern and central Luzon with pitchers bearing conspicuous hairs.

Photos

Nepenthes alata
📷 Attenboroughii at English Wikipedia · CC BY 3.0 · source
Nepenthes alata
📷 Kleo Marlo Sialongo, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY · source

Sources