Expert: Christopher Littrell - 11/23/2007

Question
QUESTION: The measures are Height=7.5"
         Length=12 inches
         width=6 inches
Will this size accommodate my Hamata into adulthood with little or no pruning?
I've already filled the bottom inch with a drainage layer and I would probably add another 4 inches of Nepenthes soil. Would this be an ok amount?  Sorry about all the questions.

ANSWER: Hello Jake,

That size terrarium would be fine for a small Nepenthes hamata for a couple of years at most, however; since an adult plant has pitchers of between 6-12 inches tall, it will eventually outgrow the terrarium. You will need a larger enclosure for it eventually and you will have to prune it to keep it to size as reports are that it truly grows to a large size. Some Nepenthes grow rather compact, only a few feet long, and some grow upwards of 20-30 feet or more up trees and across the ground, and N. hamata is one of the larger species. Since the adult pitchers will themselves be too big to fit into your terrarium comfortably, the adult plant will certainly grow much to large for that terrarium even if pruned.

Christopher

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: how would a rajah be compared to a hamata

Answer
Hello Jake,

Nepenthes rajah grow larger pitchers, some of the largest of all the Nepenthes, that will be about like milk jugs when fully adult in size. The adult N. rajah is not the largest Nepenthes in vine length, however; still grows to a considerable 9 feet or more in length. I do not know the exact length that N. hamata vines grow, however; from what I have seen from other growers, they would likely grow at least to the length of N. rajah vines if not longer.

Sorry I cannot be more exact, but each plant will simply grow differently according to humidity, temperature, soil, watering, and pests, so what one grower experiences might be completely different from another.

Christopher