N. bellii with extremely long tendril

N. bellii
purchase date: 1 / 03
arrived as a size 3
plant origin: Borneo Exotics
photo taken: 8 / 03

Nepenthes bellii originates from the Philippines and has extremely long tendrils. The pitcher pictured is not a very large one so the overall shape will change with age. Some of the nicest photos showed this plant having reddish pitchers with a green peristome that was slightly oval in shape. My experience with this plant is mixed. I originally tried this plant outdoors with disatrous results. I found out from the vendor that this plant does not like its roots being disturbed and doesn't ship that well. The next plant was shipped again bare root and after potting it up, it immediately went into shock and died. Finally, I decided to try the one you see above as an indoor plant. This plant arrived potted and has done wonderfully! No stress, pitcher curl, or death. I've also read that because of the extremely long tendrils, this species makes a nice hanging plant. So if you like this plant I suggest it is best shipped potted.

Cultivation: difficult outdoors, moderate to difficult indoors (once established it does fine); prone to transplant shock, moderate grower
Market availability: size 3 to rooted cuttings; fairly common
Species variability: none that I'm aware of
$ / size: moderate;  $20.00 and up for rooted cuttings and larger specimen plants
Cuttings: none available for trade
Sex: unknown