N. spectabilis X sumatrana
purchase date: 8 / 05
arrived as a large size 3
plant origin: Exotica Plants
photo taken:  9 / 05

Nepenthes spectabilis X N. sumatrana is a hybrid between a highlander and lowlander. It's the first hybrid I've seen involving N. sumatrana that became available a few years back when Charles Clarke's book Nepenthes of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia featured the plant on the cover. I love N. sumatrana so when this hybrid became available I figured I'd give it a try outdoors. The pitchers resemble N. spectabilis in color and shape at this time. Both species have striped peristomes but N. sumatrana has wider striping. I was hoping that the lower pitchers would be more squat from the N. sumatrana but I haven't noticed that yet. It has been a good vigorous grower during summer and fall. When winter comes, it may stress but that remains to be seen. I'm curious to see how large of a plant this will be because N. sumatrana is very large! Since I like N. sumatrana so much I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up with more hybrids with that species.

Cultivation: appears quick to moderate outdoors at this time; probably an easy grower indoors; may stress outdoors in winter
Market availability: size 3 to large plants; available currently
Species variability: possible variations among the seed grown plants
$ / size: moderate $35.00 and up for larger plants
Cuttings: none available for trade
Sex: unknown