NEPENTHES DIABOLICA ( “RED HAIRY HAMATA” / “RHH” )Nepenthes diabolica! Discovered in 2004, and long known as “Red Hairy Hamata” (“RHH”), this incredibly rare and beautiful species is finally both formally named and available for addition to your collection! Arguably the most exciting and sought after addition since Nepenthes edwardsiana. Known from only a single small and isolated population on an undisclosed mountain in Central Sulawesi, N. diabolica grows towards the summit (2200-2300m) in high-montane mossy forest, primarily as a low-epiphyte in moss attached to the base of tall trees. It is a true highlander/ultrahighlander.Resembling the famous N. hamata, N. diabolica (Latin for "diabolical" or "devilish" ) takes the evil and ominous look to the next level. While easily differentiated from the former by stem and leaves alone, it is really the red colouration and enlarged, hooked peristome teeth that give this species it’s terrifying appearance and name. The pitchers are beautiful! Most striking relative to N. hamata are their smaller size, red hue and hairy coat. The lower pitchers are diminutive and tubby, and are orangy-red to almost deep maroon-purple in colour. The entire outer pitcher surface is covered in a dense layer of short, fine reddish-brown hairs (indumentum) which give them an unmistakable look and from which the coloquial name “Red Hairy Hamata” was derived. These are accompanied by bold, matching wings that run the length of the pitchers. The peristome can range from a pale creamy-yellow, through an almost luminous yellow-green (which creates a striking contrast with the dark pitchers), to the bright and glossy ruby red colour of the prominent and highly developed sickle-shaped ‘teeth’ we know so well from N. hamata. These wicked looking ‘teeth’ line the peristome forming a row of inward pointing hooks, gradually angling forward as the peristome neck rises to meet the pitcher lid. Combined, all these features create a bold and striking image that cannot be mistaken for anything else. They are incredibly unique and striking.Once vining, N. diabolica produces larger linear leaves and large, more elongated upper pitchers. Upper pitchers are cylindrical and, unlike in N. hamata, prominent wings are retained and the peristome ‘teeth’ become reduced in size, rather than more exagerated. The red colouration is also retained, with upper pitchers being beautifully mottled in varying degrees of yellow-greens, oranges and reds, some plants being entirely a uniform red. In many ways the uppers are much more stunning and painterly than those of N. hamata, with colouration at times reministent of a poorly painted N. glabrata. They really are gorgeous!Cultivation Guidelines:Light: Indirect or dappled light. Seems to prefer more shaded positions. Leaves redden easily.Temperature: True highland/ultrahighland conditions. Requires cool night time temperatures. Will not tolerate high temperatures!Growing medium: An open, mossy but well-draining mix. A mix of high quality sphagnum moss with horticultural-grade perlite, a bit of good quality peat-moss and pine bark works well. The proportion of Sphagnum in the mix should ideally be quite high. Ensure good drainage!Extra notes on Cultivation: Requires high humidity levels.Difficulty: This species appears to be a finicky and fragile grower, requiring rather specific ultrahighland conditions, and even then grows rather slowly, especially when young. Not an easy species to cultivate well. It is therefore recommended for more experienced growers.EXTREMELY LIMITED SUPPLY!

The legendary Nepenthes x "Smilodon", a hybrid of N. hamata and N. diabolica, formerly known as N. sp. "Red hairy hamata". As the old trivial name of N. diabolica indicates, both species are very similar. Both strongly toothed, N. hamata black, N. diabolica red and extremely hairy, even on the pitchers. The sought-after N. x "Smilodon" shows very dark, purple pitchers with a velvety exterior and pitch-black, shiny peristome and conspicuously large teeth. The lid is hairy.Initial experience with the hybrid shows a very fast-growing plant in which striking leaf jumps are not uncommon. Also the sensitivity of N. diabolica is no longer noticeable in the hybrid.

A very sought after and rare species. Nepenthes ephippiata is closely related to N. lowii and also shows very similar pitchers.It also occurs in Borneo and inhabits altitudes of 1300-2000 m.a.s.l.. Depending on the locality, the transitions from one to the other species can be almost fluid.The lowii-like upper pitchers are less funnel-shaped and have a less narrow constriction. The lids are usually studded with fewer bristles.Lower pitchers are much stouter than those of N. lowii.The form of Gunung Rajah shows very typical characteristics of N. ephippiata and is well on the ephippiata side of the spectrum.Due to the slow growth, large plants are rare.

A very bizarre species native to Central Borneo, nepenthes ephippiata is closely related to nepenthes lowii but can get even larger! It brings together the best of both worlds, being impressive in size while having great form — making it a must have species for any highland Nepenthes collector.Nepenthes lowii and N. ephippiata have many characteristics in common including tough woody pitchers, the production of lid hairs and exudate, as well as large reflexed lids. Nepenthes ephippiata also produces a seemingly oversized lid in relation to the body of the pitcher and develops a beautiful deep wine-red color in its interior while being green with very light red speckles on the outside.Lower pitchers on this species are bulbous and have faint red coloring on the outside. Meanwhile, upper ones lose all exterior coloration, turning completely green which contrast marvelously with the dark interior.The plants from the Hose-Mountains are usually called Nepenthes ephippiata. I have my doubts about this and find them quite strongly deviating from the "classic" Nepenthes ephippiata. Certainly as strongly deviating as from typical Nepenthes lowii populations.Cultivation Guidelines: Light: Bright indirect or dappled light.Temperature: Intermediate to highland conditions, not a picky species.Growing medium: Equal parts sphagnum and horticultural grade perlite.Extra notes on Cultivation: Relatively easy species to grow; not especially challenging

A beautiful relatively new and hardly known species from East Borneo.The distinctive funnel cans are distantly reminiscent of Nepenthes eymae.Very sought after. Only a few available!

Nepenthes erucoides is one of the most interesting species discovered and described in recent years.The species is only known from Mount Redondo on Dinagat, where it occurs terrestrially on ultramafic soils just below 1000 meters. The species is characterised by exceptionally strong pubescence and rounded pitchers.So far, the species has hardly been offered commercially. A great rarity!

This is the true Nepenthes fusca, which was rediscovered only a few years ago. Almost all plants in cultivation are in fact Nepenthes zakriana.The plants are characterised by beautifully striped peristomes and very nicely spotted pots.

Definitely one of the best N. hamata hybrids. Often the teeth of toothed species can not develop their full expression in hybrids with non-toothed Nepenthes species, the resulting peristome teeth are more of an intermediate product. However, if two toothed species are crossed to form a hybrid, a resilient, fast-growing, strongly toothed hybrid is the result. N. hamata x edwardsiana easily rivals both pure parent species in beauty. A dark red, elongated pitcher body, similar to N. hamata but showing the globular base of N. edwardsiana and incredible teeth on the black peristome characterize this hybrid. With appropriate fertilization this hybrid grows extremely fast!

A new hybrid with huge potential. Two parents with pronounced serrated peristome promise a fantastic result. Unfortunately, only a few young plants are available so far.

Absolutely fascinating species!Nepenthes klosiii forms a hood that attracts flying insects with nectar to the peristome. The semi-transparent, translucent backside signals an exit to the insects and makes them fly directly into the pitcher. The same trapping mechanism can otherwise only be observed in the genus in Nepenthes aristolochioides, which forms very similar but smaller pitchers.Nepenthes klossi is endemic to a small area of Irian Jaya (Indonesian part of Papua), where it occurs at 930-2000 m.a.s.l..