Nepenthes Stenophylla Cultivation

Nepenthes stenophylla is a fairly easy highland plant.

Cultivating Ease - Fairly Easy. Summers which are too warm will cause the plant to slow down and possibly refuse to pitcher.

Type - The problem classifying this plant is the possible confusion with it and a few other related species, most notably N. fallax. The elevational distribution puts the plant between 1000M & 2400M. However, it grows much better in more highland conditions, and growing it with night temps that do not cool down will cause it to enter into a pseudo-dormancy. The plant will not stop growing, but will slow down and possibly stop pitchering.

Temperature - Daytime temperatures can range from 80-90 degrees. Nighttimes temps between 55 degrees and 65 degrees. Higher temps will cause the plant to slow down, but does not seem to do any long term harm.

Humidity - I keep the humidity above 70%. Daytime humidity may be slightly lower, with nighttime humidity near 100%.

Light - Bright light to full  (diffused) sunlight.  It grows very well in a large chamber under lights.

Moisture - Keep the plant moist. Do not allow the soil to dry out.

Soil - Long Fiber Sphagnum

Size - The plant will eventually start climbing, at which time it may have to be pruned.

Details: This plant is notable for the beautiful funnel shaped upper pitcher that were made famous in Kuratas Nepenthes of Mt. Kinabalu book.  The pitchers are yellowish green to white colored, streaked  with reds and crimsons. Upper pitchers are more white colored with red markings.

Propagation -  Fairly easy from cuttings.

Forms - Much confusion clouds the true status of this species. The best way to identify forms of this plant appears to be by identifying the location of where the plant was collected. So you may not necessarily see color forms listed, but you will see location forms identified.