northianas and the serious photographers

[Robert]

Of photos taken in the wild we often find fresh clean healthy pitchers and clean refreshing environment, it was all the choosy photographers scrutinising the environment and plants that came across, ignore the plants and pitchers battered by the harsh tropical sun and unfriendly bugs, a waste of time setting up the equipmnt, made worse when ones have to wait for a windless moment to avoid blur pictures. Serious photography calls for patience, perfect lighting and fair judgement that has been built over the years.

photography would be easy if not for the strict assessors/examiners/judges if ones were to submit for, a photo contest, as an example.

A perfect limestone habitat and lighting offered by nature and that was one of th best location where i found these northianas. The morning sun coming from behind, the limestone boulders acting as a backdrop,



They look gorgeous, a reflection of the harsh environment, the rusty spots are nature not man made, a piece of natural history documentation.





The hands were for our judgement and size comparison - not for photo assesment and contest.

[plantlover]

Nice pics!!

[shawnintland]

Gorgeous pitchers and pictures Robert! That first shot is very striking with the limestone background. And what great peristome coloration. I'm really glad that you did put the 'hand' photos in there or I never would have guessed the scale! How high up were these plants growing? (Altitude). That red spotting on the mid-rib in the third picture is interesting too. Any guesses as to what that is? Thanks again Robert!

[Robert]

Originally Posted by shawnintland

Gorgeous pitchers and pictures Robert! That first shot is very striking with the limestone background. And what great peristome coloration. I'm really glad that you did put the 'hand' photos in there or I never would have guessed the scale! How high up were these plants growing? (Altitude). That red spotting on the mid-rib in the third picture is interesting too. Any guesses as to what that is? Thanks again Robert!

THanks Aaron and Shawn.
It was around 400 ft high. The red spots on mid rib are burn mark,i think so.

[Aliamyz]

That's simply fantastic Robert!
You made it again..i can't sleep tonight and can't wait to have my northiana.

[TS]

Haha... Robert, thanks for the pictures. Those are simply stunning shots. I love northiana, especially the peristome.
Is this place cool or windy? How about the humidity? Are the northiana exposed to full sun or they are in partial shade? Are they growing at the limestone? I suppose if they are growing in a cliff, then they should receive only direct morning sun or evening sun, am I right? Are those pitchers hiding below the plant, I mean trying to hide away from the sunlight? Are they always lying on something or just hanging like what you showed in the first?

[alienfx]

Thanks for the nice pictures Robert.So whats the secret of growing Northianas that big?

[Robert]

TS, in this particular location, they're all tall matured plants, they grow inbetween the crevices of limestone boulders.Some pitchers are found growing in dark shade and sandwiched by the limestone. uppers are mostly hanging in mid-air, where the leaves lies near boulders pitchers would be lying flat or leaning ( # 2nd pic)

They receive sunlight about 9.30am to 3.00pm. It was part of a cliff,a small section with level ground surrounded by limestone boulders thus blocking off sunlight. Humidity and temp ( i have taken the reading before and am sure they are applicable here ) - Day temp 37ºC, night 30ºC (lower during rainy monsoon ie 28ºC ), humidity day around 60% , night 80%.

alienfx;3263]Thanks for the nice pictures Robert.So whats the secret of growing Northianas that big?

no idea but i'm trying - repot the plant as they grow tall and bigger.

[TS]

Thanks Robert for those precious informations. This is important for the growing of northiana.
They received sunlight from 9.30am to 3.00pm, do you mean they are exposed 100% to the sunlight or in partial shade among nearby trees or ferns? Is the soil they grew in always damp?