- First described
- 2024
- Type
- single clone imported from europe
- Cultivar
- 'German Giant'
Origin
A clone reported as more common in European cultivation than US. Mike could not confirm any US source with 100% certainty (a recurring issue with Cephalotus naming reliability), so he imported a division from a reputable European grower. The plant spent weeks in customs before reaching Mike — most of the mature traps died, and the growth points emerged etiolated. The plant only survived because the source had grown it to strong condition before shipping.
Standout traits
- A distinctive trap shape at regular size that experienced cephalotus growers recognize.
- Mike's plant visually matches plants from European reference growers — confidence-building when other US "German Giant" plants may be misidentified.
- Open question: does the giant phenotype emerge under high-intensity light? The reference giant photos from other growers were taken under lower light. Mike's NorCal high-light conditions are a different test.
Cultivation notes
Acclimation phase ~3 months from arrival before trap growth resumes. Mike got 3 divisions off the mother plant within just over a year of acquisition — solid vigor under his conditions.
Winter slowdown is normal — bright winter light + warm days do not overcome the cold-night-driven semi-dormancy. hcarlton: this slow period sets up spring flowering.
Standout traits
- Distinctive trap shape at regular size — recognizable to experienced cephalotus growers, harder to describe in words.
- Visually matches plants grown by other European growers — the import gave Mike confidence in clone identity.
- Reported giant potential at full maturity — but other growers' giants were achieved under lower light. Open question whether high-intensity light suppresses or enhances the giant size.
- Once established, produces multiple growth points readily — Mike got 3 divisions off his mother plant in just over a year.
Cultivation
Mike's plant arrived after weeks in customs — growth points were yellow/etiolated and many old traps died off. The plant survived because the source had grown it strong before shipping; otherwise the long mail time would likely have killed it.
Establishment phase: a few weeks of root regrowth, then ~3 months of acclimation before noticeable trap growth. Within a year Mike had 3 divisions off the mother plant.
Winter behavior in NorCal: even with bright winter light and warm days, cold nights (frost most mornings) trigger semi-dormancy. hcarlton confirms this: cephalotus naturally semi-dormant in winter, slow growth then sets up spring flowering.
Photos (10)
Naming
"German Giant" — pre-existing clonal name; presumably named for its size potential and German source/origin in European cultivation.