Expert: Joan Avila - 4/20/2007

Question
Hello!
I have recently taken leaf and root cuttings from a pitcher plant hybrid of mine, (S. Leucophylla x "Willisi") and placed them on a peat and perlite mixture. I then placed a sort of humidity dome over them, and put them under 36 watt, grolux flourescent tubes. (I'm going to have to replace them soon, they aren't as good as i thought they would be). I keep the lights on 10 hours a day, (it's autumn here!). Recently, the root cuttings have turned a slight green colour, but still no shoots. How long does it take for roots to develop? I sprayed withy fungicide, but no root hormones. My other plants are doing well. Oh, and can any nepenthes species survive frost? It must get pretty cold up those mountains!
One last thing! I was thinking about hybridsing my plants in spring, and can you get the hybrid flava x (purpurea x alata), by putting the pollen from both a purpurea, and a alata, onto a flava? Just wondering...!
Thanks for your help!
Cheers!

Answer
The proccess will take in about a month or so or even in about 8-10 days depending how it is treated.

Nepenthes are a tropical genera but some members come from arid exposed areas and can tolerate cold climates

I don't know about the clown but i guess it can be a good idea!