Nepenthes viking x N. ampullaria 'Black Miracle': The Pitcher Lid Has Opened
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- 1 min read
For Nepenthes viking x N. ampullaria 'Black Miracle', the pitcher first looked as small as a seed. I also had some doubts about whether a 15-watt LED would be enough, but after 23 days it formed a surprisingly decent-sized pitcher.
At first it felt much smaller, but with enough light the pitcher gradually swells, as shown below.
Once the shape begins to settle, it turns almost like a small ripe plum. When it reaches this stage, the lid usually opens within a day or two.
In my case, I was worried the pitcher might hang down because of its size, so I rested it in the empty space around the Fuzzy Tooth pot.
For some reason, I thought the pitcher might grow better if its weight was supported.
This Nepenthes is honestly a bit of a troublemaker. Its leaves are so long that they reach into the space of nearby plants.
The current pitcher is around 5 cm across, and this hybrid can sometimes go beyond that size. Under stronger light, the shape can become slightly unusual, and that is exactly the kind of look I enjoy.
There is still little to no digestive fluid inside the pitcher, but it should form naturally over time. As digestion progresses, the scent and concentration are said to become stronger.
