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Post by sockhom on Mar 30, 2009 15:13:30 GMT -5
February 24th 2009Nepenthes fusca is a species that I'm not familiar with. I tend to view it, in the past, as a pale copy of N. maxima. this was a time when I only looked at plants with a collector's eye. Still, I know the taxonomic features of that species but I don't have it in culture and, to me, you only know a plant when you do grow it. February 24th. We just saw the Orang utangs near Kuching and we're now heading to the "Penrissen range". The highest peak there is the quite known Gunung Penrissen (1329 m). Actually, Mount Penrissenn is located in Kalimantan, Indonesia. We're just at the border between Sarawak and the Indonesian province at 900 masl (actually, on the picture, I'm in Indonesia since I'm at the other side of the fence! ;D) The climate is much cooler. I don't think the temperature exceeds 25°C. We're starting with some "birdwatching", an activity I'm not familiar with. Our guide, Yeo, is a fascinating man.  The landscape is breathtaking:      I hope you enjoy all those aerial views because I'm about to introduce you to an epiphytic Nepenthes, an air child. Nothing has prepared me to this experience. Yes, I knew what "epiphtyc" means but as a typical french man, I thought that epiphytic only means that a plant grows in a pocket of moss hung on a terrarium' side ;D! I had to use binoculars to spot N. fusca and this was, physically, a peculiar experience.
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Post by sockhom on Mar 30, 2009 15:13:53 GMT -5
Our guide just explained that he never had the chance to see a terrestrial fusca in this area, even if he knows he might find one someday. I think I felt a bit disappointed because I would only admire the species from a distance. One's like to grab those big jars! ;D Our search for N. fusca starts near our chalet. At the border of the jungle:  We quickly spot a plant:  We settle the telescope and take the other binoculars...    A Nepenthes on a tree! What a sight! Completely different from from what we're used to see in our terrariums, trailer  , or greenhouses. The specimen you just saw is amost at the top of this tree. isn't that crazy?  With a little luck, we should find other plants. We're examining many trees and do find, at towering heights, beautiful plants of N. fusca!   |
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Post by sockhom on Mar 30, 2009 15:15:50 GMT -5
 I feel happy. What an experience! I was always used to bend my head looking at the soil, searching for low growing plants or insects and, here I am, eyes opened wide toward the sky, searching for pitcher-plants hiding in the luxurious trees! And, exquisite surprise, as I was wandering alone, I stumbled, on a small slope, on two beautiful young specimens of terrestrial N. fusca! My guides couldn't believe it. Until now, they could only see this species with their binoculars or telescope!    -"You're d**n lucky!!" they say. - Yes, I am". Speak soon, François. |
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Post by Brian Barnes on Mar 30, 2009 16:02:09 GMT -5
François, Absolutely fantastic scenery, plants and pics! It definitely looks like one of those "trips of a lifetime"  d**n, now I want to go there! ;D Happy Growing, Brian. |
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Post by andreas on Mar 31, 2009 7:17:07 GMT -5
Yes, there a few really lucky guys over the world! Unfortunately I´m not among them! François, I particularly love those landscape shots. N. fusca is rather resembling N. maxima. The only thing that seems to miss on N. fusca to be regard as a Maxima is the thorn under the lid! Nevertheless nice specimens you found! This was the last part of your journey?  Kindest regards, Andreas |
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Post by sockhom on Mar 31, 2009 10:01:51 GMT -5
This was the last part of your journey? Andreas Nooooooooo! ;D! I've got many other posts coming! François. |
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Post by daniel on Mar 31, 2009 19:13:02 GMT -5
Hi François, wow, you have really been in paradise.  Wonderful landscape and of course nice Nepenthes pictures. Surely you have had a lot of fun there. Hope to see many more pictures. Best regards, Dani |
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, or greenhouses. 
