Nepenthes pervillei - and how to grow them

[chimanta]

I was asked by somebody in another forum how to grow N. pervillei since they have a bad name concerning keeping them in culture. So I thought I might share my observations on the Seychelles and hope it will help or maybe starting a thread exchanging experiences from other growers. So here is what I wrote to his questions about the conditions of young and adult plants on the Seychelles in situ:

young plants:

What I was seeing was, that a few small plants where growing either underneath the "grass" and unless you did not remove the grass (put it aside with your hands) you would not have seen them so they were protected by strong light and the sand/soil there was wet. The other small plants - also only few - are growing in a small rock crack filled with a bit of sand/soil and there the water could stay longer so it was wet as well. They received much more sun and bright light though not full sun and the plants were stronger, had thicker leaves compared to the ones under the grass which only had very thin leaves.

adult plants:

Concerning the adult plants it's hard to say, since as you have seen as well, it's hard to say were do they start from - means where are their roots - since they can "travel" several meters by the stem crawling over the bare rock. But I assume it's the same there, they dwell their roots as young plants in rock cracks (crevices it's called I guess in English?) filled with soil and kept shaded and wet when young by surrounding vegetation at first, saving the water from disappearing because it's sheltered from the sun by the surrounding vegetation and later on the pervillei itself shelters the spots where they have their roots too.

What I have seen on one spot there, was as well , that the first day I visited the place, there was a small pond of water right beside a plant population (since it was raining a little bit that day). So the roots must have been standing in water. 3 or 4 days later, the water was gone but the soil was still wet.

Those were the conditions I found them in. But I also remember, that the people over there told me, that there was a drought for several Months right before I had arrived (September 2010). So there must have been dryer conditions before.

Growing conditions in cultivaton:

So I would say they like it very bright or even full sunny as soon as their leaves are hardened (thicker/leathery), what prevents them of dehydration as I tried to describe it above with the young plants. I assume they also like it moist to wet and not to dry (the roots) if enough light is provided. So for small plants I would keep them wet in a sand(quartz)/peat mix always a bit moist to wet letting the moisture going back again and water them again, never let them drying out. But as I mentioned, very strong light as soon as the leaves are thick/leathery.

Adult plants like I know a friend of mine has one since approx. 20 years- I think, with several meters long vines, with nice air rosettes are kept there in a greenhouse (or "Wintergarten"). The pot standing close to a heated metal tube ("Radiator") but in the winter time it's sometimes only around 20 to 22 degrees - I think - by far not as hot as on the Seychelles, probably they especially like it if their roots are kept warm.

So that are only my thoughts, not sure I'm right, since I have no growing experience with this species and I was only a few days down there to gain impressions and have only the experiences of my friend with the adult plant.

So all pervillei growers are invited, to share their experiences about sucessfully growing this plant but also important to share what did'nt work.

PS: Also note, that on the black rock there the ground is hot so warm from underneath the pots could be beneficial. Air Temps where around 28 degree's Celsius when I was down there the ground (black rocks hotter but I did not check how much).

To see some pics of N. pervillei in situ check out my homepage:

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Edited January 13, 2011 by chimanta

[vraev]

thanks for sharing man. I always liked this species...never got it because its known to be challenging a bit.

[chimanta]

Siggi and Irmgard Hartmeyer have now made their Seychelles Video available on youtube where you can see where and how N. pervillei grows over there. There you can also see different pitcher shapes.