- Breeder
- Charles Brewer (selector / source)
- First described
- 2025
- Type
- single clone from charles brewer distribution
- Cultivar
- 'red clone'
Origin
A Charles Brewer-distributed clone — Mike's accession was, in his words, the "very last plant Charles was willing to sell" before he stopped offering plants. Now widely circulating in US collections, but still difficult to acquire by typical channels.
Note: this clone appears named informally ("red clone") and is distinct from registered cultivars like 'Brewer's Red' (separate thread/entry). Identity disambiguation between Brewer-source clones is non-trivial in trade.
Standout traits
- Selected for shape + color — not just red, but red with shapely traps and well-defined under-lid patterns.
- Upward / fully-open lids under certain environmental conditions.
- Vigor: builds massive clumps once growth momentum starts.
- NOT a giant — caps at typical Cephalotus trap size regardless of care.
- Beginner-friendly within the genus — Mike's recommended starter clone.
Cultivation notes
If this is your first cephalotus, Mike points to this clone as the most forgiving of typical grower errors. That said, Cephalotus in general is unforgiving; "harder to kill than others" still leaves plenty of failure modes.
Standout traits
- Selected for shapely traps + exceptional coloration.
- Forms 'upward', fully open lids under certain environmental conditions.
- Striking, well-defined patterns under the lid.
- Vigorous: forms massive clumps over time once growth momentum is established.
- NOT a giant — traps stay within typical Cephalotus size range regardless of care.
- Beginner-friendly within the genus — harder to kill than other clones (relative — Mike: 'all cephalotus are very easy to kill LOL').
Cultivation
Mike's view: this is the clone to recommend to growers new to Cephalotus. It tolerates more grower error than typical clones while still expressing the species' visual quality. While all cephalotus can turn red under sufficient light (or fake LED suntan with optimized wavelengths), this clone was selected specifically for its color plus the trap shape and lid pattern combo.
Mike's plant grew into a large specimen over several years; he planned to divide winter 2024 and offer divisions late spring / early summer 2025.
Photos (8)
Naming
Descriptive: "red clone" — selected for shapely traps and exceptional red coloration. Charles Brewer's working name; not a formally registered cultivar.