N. Kona (N.alata X truncata)
purchase date: 10 / 07
arrived as a large size 3
plant origin: Leilani Hapu'u
photo taken:  10 / 07

Nepenthes Kona is a hybrid by the Leilani Hapu'u Nursery in Hawaii. The nursery is beginning to put out their own hybrids that are very interesting. This particular hybrid arrived as a large size 3 with multiple pitchers. Leilani is releasing great quality plants that are rivaling Exotica Plants! This hybrid with N. alata and N. truncata has been made by Exotica Plants. That doesn't mean they will look the same but it might be an indication on how best to grow this hybrid. I have had trouble with this hybrid as a highlander from Exotica Plants. I think it prefers warmer temperatures than I can provide outdoors year 'round. Leilani's hybrid looks more rugged than the Exotica Plants' hybrid of similar size. That's not to criticize Exotica Plants because they are the world leaders in producing the greatest hybrids on the planet. It's to point out that there are differences among Nepenthes hybrids when the same species parents are used. I'll grow N. Kona outdoors as a highlander and see how it does. I suspect it will slow down a lot in winter but if the root system gets well established to my climate it should do fine. 

Cultivation: should be an easy grower in intermediate conditions; not sure of cold tolerance yet and speed of growth
Market availability: large size 3 to large plants; available as of 10 / 07 by some of Leilani's distributors
Species variability: some variation among the seed grown plants; not as much compared to other more complex hybrids 
$ / size: moderate to expensive $30.00 to $75.00 for large plants
Cuttings: none available for trade
Sex: unknown