N. bicalcarata X (spectabilis X northiana)
purchase date: 11 / 06
arrived as a size 3
plant origin: Exotica Plants
photo taken:  12 / 06

Nepenthes bicalcarata X (spectabilis X northiana) is a complex hybrid involving mainly lowlanders. Both N. bicalcarata and N. northiana are near impossible for me to grow as indoor houseplants successfully. I love Exotica's hybrids that use N. northiana. Some are drop dead gorgeous. I got this plant to experiment as an indoor plant because of the N. spectabilis in it. The leaves appear thick and waxy and the pitchers are sturdy. So far no pitchers have dried up which means that humidity might not be a big concern for this hybrid like others. I do suspect that this plant will grow slower for me in household temperatures compared to hot, lowland greenhouse temps. And whether the vestiges of the N. bicalcarata teeth remain, is hard to say. I'll be happy just to be able to grow it successfully. This hybrid was available for a while from Exotica and then dropped off the list. Larger plants may appear at their site for a limited time in the future, but the price will definitely be more expensive. 

Cultivation:  easy in typical lowland conditions, experimenting as an intermediate indoors
Market availability: size 3 to possible larger plants; limited (may become available later from Exotica as larger plants)
Species variability: none if from one clone, some if from multiple clones
$ / size: moderate to expensive; $30.00 and up for larger offerings
Cuttings: none available for trade
Sex: unknown