2015 Nepenthes in vitro . . .

[BigBella]

Here are a few images of multiplying plantlets in a cytokinin-rich experimental media. The challenge with this species, as well as many other highlanders and ultra-highlanders, are the development of roots; or rhizogenesis.

More often than not, I allow the plants to root ex vitro, as though they were cuttings; it's far cheaper, in terms of labor and materials, and often quicker in the long run . . .

Nepenthes villosa "Gamma Clone" (Tambuyukon) 18 April





Nepenthes attenboroughii (Mt. Victoria)

 

[Stranger]

This should turn out amazing.

Out of curiosity, what do you do with the plants once they're rooted?

 

[vraev]

wow. Fantastic job BigB. I hope you eventually manage to open up a shop to sell some of the nice nepenthes species you have managed to produce in vitro. Will be a stellar selection.

 

[NemJones]

thats so cool. Wish i had the money/knowledge to do this kind of stuff

 

[BigBella]

thats so cool. Wish i had the money/knowledge to do this kind of stuff

Thanks . . .

I began on a shoestring budget while still at school; made homemade media; scavenged for bottles, etc; and, in terms of knowledge, there is very little pain in cracking a few books . . .

 

[Heli]

Looks awesome! I look forward to any updates to your coffee thread too.

 

[Dexenthes]

Any luck with Sp. "Mt. Mingan"?

 

[BigBella]

Any luck with Sp. "Mt. Mingan"?

Sadly, I had repeated contamination issues with that batch. Some lowland and intermediate Nepenthes seed are notoriously difficult to clean effectively and are often riddled with algae and fungi.

To give you a perspective, the protocol for cleaning highland seeds in a 4% PPM solution (a very effective biocide), is five to eight hours; and lowland species -- Nepenthes ampullaria is a prime example -- are often soaked for an excess of twenty-four or more . . .