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By Sp0nser
Posts:  266
Joined:  Fri May 10, 2019 7:40 pm
#357167
The carnivorous plant nursery saids that nepenthes bicalcarata is suitible for beginners and can be grown on a windowsill, is this true?
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By sanguinearocks101
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Joined:  Mon Jan 06, 2020 1:56 am
#357194
Sp0nser wrote:
sanguinearocks101 wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2020 12:08 am I think so, but you could just put a water tray with gravel and that will probably solve it.
So put the plant on top of the gravel and pour water onto the gravel?
Yeah. Here's an example https://www.otoolesgardencenters.com/si ... ebble-Tray
By Huntsmanshorn
Posts:  955
Joined:  Wed Sep 03, 2014 6:32 am
#357200
Sp0nser wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2020 4:48 pm The carnivorous plant nursery saids that nepenthes bicalcarata is suitible for beginners and can be grown on a windowsill, is this true?
It's not really a very good beginner plant but you can grow it in a window. Unfortunately, it usually takes some effort, and it can get really big.
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By sanguinearocks101
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#357203
Huntsmanshorn wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2020 1:55 am
Sp0nser wrote: Fri Jun 19, 2020 4:48 pm The carnivorous plant nursery saids that nepenthes bicalcarata is suitible for beginners and can be grown on a windowsill, is this true?
It's not really a very good beginner plant but you can grow it in a window. Unfortunately, it usually takes some effort, and it can get really big.
Not sure about this, but I think I heard somewhere that they don’t get as large as other Nepenthes in cultivation due to some unknown reason that probably has something to do with the ants.
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By Greenthumbs Garden
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Joined:  Mon Jul 27, 2009 10:15 pm
#357211
Sp0nser wrote:The carnivorous plant nursery said that nepenthes bicalcarata is suitable for beginners and can be grown on a windowsill, is this true?
I would not suggest it as a beginner Nepenthes. Get a Bloody Mary, or otherwise known as Lady Luck which is a ventricosa x ampullaria hybrid. Very nice plant, and very hardy. get some experience with that first. Otherwise, you might just be wasting your money.

A few years back I was also really pining for a bicalcarata and ampullaria also. I took a lot of time to look into it and tried convincing myself it would be fine with the conditions I had to offer. Like you, a bright window, low fluctuating humidity... the plant won't thrive, it will limp along at best.
Ventricosa is another nice candidate for beginners.

I almost forgot I wrote a short blog on some Top Beginner Neps, maybe you can find something there and they all grow very well under a large range of conditions.
Top Favorite Beginner Neps

sanguinearocks101 wrote:Not sure about this, but I think I heard somewhere that they don’t get as large as other Nepenthes in cultivation due to some unknown reason that probably has something to do with the ants.
Yeah they have a very interesting symbiotic relationship with ants, here's a great short read up on it if you're interested.
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By optique
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Joined:  Fri May 24, 2019 11:15 pm
#357215
If i had to suggest a good starter plant it would be (Nepenthes Sanguinea 'Orange') also sold under the name D4. grows fast and adjust fast. I keep mine in a windows in the winter and outside in the summer.

today 6/20/20
Image Image

a year ago the week i got it
Image

the ants seem to like it. its pitchers are full of them.
5/25/20
Image
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By optique
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Posts:  1943
Joined:  Fri May 24, 2019 11:15 pm
#357223
PlanT640847401 wrote: Sat Jun 20, 2020 4:09 am I bought this exact plant from him and it came really tiny with thrips all over it. From him, youd have to be an expert to get a somewhat presentable plant. I would not recommend buying from cpn.
i feel the same about CPN, i have never lost a plant from them but they were always small and sickly things, that took a year to recover and start growing well.
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By Hurtrus
Posts:  77
Joined:  Tue Dec 17, 2019 4:08 am
#357225
N. x ventrata are pretty common (in the US) and are known to be very resilient. Not as pretty (imo) as Lady Luck or Miranda - but good beginner Nepenthes

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