Nepenthes rafflesiana (Brunei) BE-3141

This is a lowland plant that is struggling in our greenhouse. It is being sold at a discount. 

From a single carefully selected clone out of microprop.

Cultivation Notes: As with all our lowland species, these plants have been weaned out of microprop using artificial lighting and high humidity. They are in a highly vigorous growth mode and as such, the leaves are not very hard because they are growing so extremely quickly, plus this species naturally has soft leaves anyway. Because they are so vigorous, they will establish easily and put on size quickly. The root systems are well developed, but when first received they will require high humidity at all times until settled in, even during the early handling stages.

One of the most variable of species, both in form and colouration - there are almost no two alike.  Form varies from squat to elongata and from miniature to giant.  Colouration varies from white through red to nearly black with all combinations in between.

Nepenthes rafflesiana is a classic lowland species found across Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. The upper pitchers are very different in form from the lower pitchers, and within the species itself, there is a great deal of variability in the size morphology and coloration of pitchers, even across individuals within the same colony of plants. It hybridizes regularly in habitat with nearby species, including N. gracilis, N. ampullaria, N. bicalcarata and various forms of N. mirabilis, to name but a few. In any colony of Nepenthes rafflesiana, it’s common to find hybrids, unless it’s very geographically isolated from other species. Therefore, it’s unlikely that there is any such thing as “pure” Nepenthes rafflesiana, which may explain the wide range of variability observed in habitat. 

Disclaimer: The description of the coloration as 'nivea' is is given in good faith, based upon unverified nursery records from 20 years ago as well as observations of small plants (Feb 2022). Additionally, this item might possibly be Nepenthes hemsleyana, but we'll change the nomenclature only when verified. For more information, please see below. 

Historical description: Created in Borneo Exotics nurseries in 2004 using parent plants which were themselves raised from seed in BE's nurseries, it was first introduced around 2006 on our old PDF price list. After we closed our lowland nurseries in 2012 it became unavailable for ten years until added to the shop in Feb 2022. Originally BE-3141 was a random selection form three different clones but, subsequently it has been reduced to one clone with our variety ID# 0430-1.

Photo Notes: At the time of writing (Feb 2022) Borneo Exotics is unable to locate any photographs of mature pitchers of either this item or the parent plants from which is was bred. The photos of juvenile pitchers shown here appear to show that it's the nivea form with red or pink peristome teeth. The red blotches on these juvenile pitchers are probably caused by high artificially maintained light levels and are expected not to appear on pitchers as the plants mature, although this cannot be guaranteed.