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I absolutely LOVE how FAT the pitchers are on this one! An extremely rare and highly unusual Leilani Nepenthes hybrid, I am looking forward to watching this one grow!
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My rooted cutting arrived with excellent upper pitchers! September 2020
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Need to take pics from multiple angles because it is SO ROUND! September 2020
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From Sam Estes of Leilani Nepenthes, June 2013 on the Leilani Nepenthes Forum: "Inspired by the recent appearance of N. 'Princess Bubblegum', I give you N. 'Princess Mashed Potatoes'. Walking down the street ..... She's a thing of beauty! I think she and Quazimoto would make a nice couple. ;D"
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A "normal" Princess Ipu ventricosa x (maxima x ventricosa)
Shawn Lyons: "The 'Princess Mashed Potatoes' clone has a few odd traits- it will sometimes spontaneously abort the growth point, and instead randomly produce 5-6 inflorescences at a time where the apical meristem used to be. It will also grow random inflorescences from side nodes. It produces a lot of basal rosettes, so if a vine aborts, you don't need to worry about losing the plant."
To the left is a "normal" Princess Ipu, which more clearly shows the traits you would anticipate passing on from the parent plants. "Princess Mashed Potatoes" appears to be a unique and extreme mutant in the seedset. Shawn Lyons was sold the original stock plant shortly before the Leilani Nursery was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. Unfortunately the stock plant was killed by a freak late frost. There may only be a few of the "Mashed Potatoes" Nepenthes left!
Tragedy!! Highly anticipated, gorgeous plant arrived...with broken growth point :( :( :( September 2020
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Ironically all the delicate pitchers made it through shipping! September 2020
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Original Leilani tag of the mother plant
I obtained my VERY well-established rooted upper cutting from a fellow Nepenthes hobbyist. Although the plant was packed very well in a large box with lots of peanuts, the box arrived somewhat crushed from the top (clearly something very heavy was placed on top of it) and unfortunately this broke off the main growth point! Although I have personally never had this happen before, I am very hopeful that the plant recovers from this unfortunate decapitation quickly. The grower said that this particular hybrid produces basals and offshoots from its main vine readily (I would anticipate as much from the maxima and ventricosa offspring) so crossing fingers we don't run into any complications! Fortunately the plant was shipped potted, so some shock will be alleviated at least.
After using the rapid bag acclimation technique, the headless plant took about 3 weeks to acclimate and continue inflating the pitchers it arrived with. The broken tip did die back a little bit, but it appears like the nearest node, despite being dangerously close to the wound, it activating and beginning to grow! I moved it under artificial lights to hopefully speed up the process. The tip that was broken off appears to have rooted! I noticed the tendril moving and the newest leaf unfurling very very slowly. Hopefully it continues to root and become another Princess Mashed Potatoes!
The back side of the pitchers is just as cute as the front side :) November 2020
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Finally growing a new head! Was hoping for basals but an activated apical node is good too! November 2020
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Update December 2020
Such a cute pitcher!
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Tiny new pitcher forming on the tip cutting! However...
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Doesn't seem like the new leaves can extend out?...
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The main plant finally has a new apical growth tip! Yay! And the new pitchers it has been forming are wonderful. I will keep crossing fingers for a basal shoot soon so we can observe the lower pitchers.
However, something very strange is going on with the tip cutting. If you look at the pictures above, it was a miracle that this tiny nub was even able to root, considering how small of a piece it was. It is now in the process of inflating its first pitcher, which is very exciting! However... it seems to have a lot of trouble forming new leaves. I am not sure if there was an entire node available on the tip cutting. The new leaves appear very small and cramped... they are starting to open, but are not extending out in length at all. I am really hoping that the plant can somehow generate a new growth point? We will see what happens!
However, something very strange is going on with the tip cutting. If you look at the pictures above, it was a miracle that this tiny nub was even able to root, considering how small of a piece it was. It is now in the process of inflating its first pitcher, which is very exciting! However... it seems to have a lot of trouble forming new leaves. I am not sure if there was an entire node available on the tip cutting. The new leaves appear very small and cramped... they are starting to open, but are not extending out in length at all. I am really hoping that the plant can somehow generate a new growth point? We will see what happens!
Update January 2021
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Well, I am definitely in trouble now! I am now THAT person that dresses up their plants in tiny hats and enters them into photo contests! Certainly did not expect to be doing this in my 30s (although I am sure 13 year old me would have wholeheartedly approved).
The Southern California Carnivorous Plant Enthusiasts are such a fun group to be a part of! Much thanks to them for hosting this online event. Check out the other entries to the "Holiday Nepenthes" Photo Contest in this photo album (hint: you may recognize all the Neps wearing hats LOL). PetFlyTrap.com hosted the contest and I purchased Pinguicula 'Hanka'. Can't wait for more photo contests! |
Current Growing Conditions: Warm Intermediate Terrarium
Light: ~160 PPFD or 8930 Lux under 4000K LED shoplights
Humidity: ~90% night and 67% day
Temperature: ~68F night and 85F day
Water: Moist but not wet
Potting Mix: 50% long fibered sphagnum moss 50% perlite
Fertilizer: MaxSea (1/4 tsp/gallon) every other week into pitchers and lightly spray leaves
Additional Notes: Acclimated quickly for me, despite a traumatic shipping experience. Excited to see more mature pitchers!
Light: ~160 PPFD or 8930 Lux under 4000K LED shoplights
Humidity: ~90% night and 67% day
Temperature: ~68F night and 85F day
Water: Moist but not wet
Potting Mix: 50% long fibered sphagnum moss 50% perlite
Fertilizer: MaxSea (1/4 tsp/gallon) every other week into pitchers and lightly spray leaves
Additional Notes: Acclimated quickly for me, despite a traumatic shipping experience. Excited to see more mature pitchers!