Nepenthes maxima x ventricosa (M)

A carnivorous vine from the highlands of Asia, with leathery, mid green, lance shaped leaves, up to 30cm long, produced alternately along slender, wiry stems, become woody with age. The squat, pale green, heavily mottled red pitchers, up to 15cm high, which trap and digest insects, are borne at the tip of the leaf tendrils which the plant also uses to climb. Racemes of uninteresting petalless green and brown flowers are usually produced in Autumn in Perth. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. This clone is male. A long lived pot specimen easily grown in a sheltered, brightly lit location, out of direct sunlight. Mist regularly over Summer to provide extra humidity. Fertilizers are best used with caution or not at all, Nepenthes receive all the nutrition they need from their prey. When re-potting use an airy, moisture retentive potting mix which doesn't contain added fertilizer. Cut back old stems when and where new shoots leaf out from the base, best in spring when the weather warms up. Pitchers produced from the basal shoots are larger and more colourful.