Nepenthes edwardsiana (Kinab.)
Short supply (FAQ)
Nepenthes edwardsiana is the queen of all Nepenthes, which
was discovered over a century ago on the slopes of Mount Kinabalu and
was later also found on Mount Tambuyukon. It grows at altitudes of
1600-2700 metres, both as a terrestrial plant, epiphyte and lithophyte.
This species really is a must for any serious collector and needs little introduction! Nepenthes edwardsiana is one of the largest species in the genus, forming pitchers up to fifty centimetres tall. It has one of the most developed peristomes of all Nepenthes, which is usually blood red in colour, while the pitchers appear in various shades of yellow to maroon. The pitchers are bulbous at the base and the cylindrical body merges into the massive teeth on the peristome .
The upper pitchers are quite similar to the lower ones, but the upper pitchers lack wings, are larger and have a tubular shape.
Cultivation guidelines:
Light: Bright, indirect or subdued light, leaves turn slightly red in colour.
Temperature: Medium to highland conditions. This species does not like extremely cold night temperatures and can tolerate warmer days compared to other highland Nepenthes.
Substrate: A very well-drained and airy mixture. A mixture of Sphagnum with a high proportion of perlite or horticultural-quality bark or a purely inorganic mixture of Kanuma, Akadama and lava rock is well suited.
Additional information on cultivation: Of the toothed species, this one is generally the easiest to cultivate.
Caution - possible cross-pollination with Nepenthes villosa cannot be ruled out!!!