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I have always wanted a Nepenthes clipeata! It wasn't until recently that I felt like I had enough experience and the correct setup to finally try growing it!
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From Wistuba: "Nepenthes clipeata is notable for the big-bellied pitchers with a long funnel – similar to a wasp waist - and the roundish hairy peltate leaves to which the name is refering (Latin: clipeus = "round-shield"). This extraordinary species only produces one type of pitchers that can reach a maximum height of 30cm. Nepenthes clipeata does not vine. The shoots stay relatively short and reach a length of two meters.
Nepenthes clipeata was first collectet 1894 by J. G. Hallier and is only to be found on the vertical granite cliff of Mount Kelam in Kalimantan" |
Even the tiny pitchers have a big belly and elongated top! A few of them are half-buried in the moss. September 2020
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Love the shield-shaped leaves! So unique! September 2020
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First new pitcher with me! October 2020
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I waited a long time before committing to a Nepenthes clipeata. When an opportunity to purchase a larger specimen from Erick Malsbury at Botanica Exotica presented itself, I jumped on it! The plant I received exceeded my wildest expectations - it was larger than I anticipated, arrived already showing many of the characteristics of mature clipeata (shield leaves, bulbous bottoms on the pitchers, hairy stems!), AND it has 2 healthy growth points! It was also the best packaging I have ever seen - I am sure that I could have thrown it off the top of a building and it would have survived without a scratch!
New pitchers and leaves look so beautiful! November 2020
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Growing so well! November 2020
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I'm particularly excited that it is Wistuba's Clone U, which hopefully means I have a higher chance of success. This clone is a male and is apparently much easier to grow than the other available clones. In fact, some growers have been able to successfully flower this clone on windowsills! Currently I have mine in my warm intermediate terrarium. After about a month of acclimation, it is starting to resume active growth. The hardest thing so far has been trying to avoid overwatering. The net pot it arrived in is made of heavy-duty plastic and it is difficult for me to determine when to water - clipeata like to dry out more between waterings!
Update January 2021
Every fuzzy new leaf is pure joy!
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I re-potted my Nepenthes clipeata in late November because I was tired with how compacted the media was. I found that the roots were severely underdeveloped and were having difficulty penetrating through solid chunks of pure long fibered sphagnum moss. I replaced the media with a much coarser mix and replanted back into the net pots.
After only a month, the plants are showing much faster growth! It is also much easier to determine when to water them. Sometimes a re-pot is all you need! |
February 2021
Newest pitcher has a bit of a messed up lid due do a single day of very low humidity while I was re-working the terrarium. Still tubby though!
Current Growing Conditions: Warm Intermediate Terrarium
Light: ~170 PPFD or 9730 Lux under 4000K LED shoplights
Humidity: ~90% night and 67% day
Temperature: ~68F night and 85F day
Water: Let dry (quite a bit!) between waterings
Potting Mix: 50% long fibered sphagnum 50% perlite
Fertilizer: MaxSea (1/4 tsp/gallon) every other week into pitchers
Additional Notes: Leaves and stems very thick and hairy! Despite this does not appear to mind water on its leaves.
Light: ~170 PPFD or 9730 Lux under 4000K LED shoplights
Humidity: ~90% night and 67% day
Temperature: ~68F night and 85F day
Water: Let dry (quite a bit!) between waterings
Potting Mix: 50% long fibered sphagnum 50% perlite
Fertilizer: MaxSea (1/4 tsp/gallon) every other week into pitchers
Additional Notes: Leaves and stems very thick and hairy! Despite this does not appear to mind water on its leaves.