Pinguicula aka Butterworts

[drtd]

Nepenthes spp. are far more effective, and thrive a lot better in the conditions of your average orchid greenhouse. Pings really need to be left outside year round in most areas to really thrive.

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[Harvy Howard]

Originally Posted by drtd

Pings really need to be left outside year round in most areas to really thrive.

Thanks for all the good feedback, drtd. I concur, except that I would not want to leave anything outside year round here in Edmonton. Right now it is -21C.

[drtd]

I've seen mine freeze solid for over 2 weeks and live :-) I still keep a stock inside for propagation just in case though!

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[Harvy Howard]

To be clear, if the butterwort species in question is Pinguicula vulgaris then, given the right conditions, it will survive winter well. It is found circumpolar and is native to the Rocky Mountains of Alberta.

The thing is, at the end of summer they need to be outdoors to acclimatize by transferring all the accumulated energy from the leaves into the over-wintering bud. If this winter-bud (the hibernaculum) is strong when winter sets in, then the pings will be ready to perform and flower when brought back indoors in the spring.

[orchidsarefun]

update.

First photo is of plants in my basement - temps haven't gone above 65f for months. Lows in upper 50's.



Next is a plant that is grown in much warmer conditions - into early 80's, lows in upper 60's. Flowering. Notice the difference in the leaves. This one is alongside a basil plant that has whitefly, so it gets an occasional feed. ( you can actually spot a couple )




Anyone know whether leaf rosette/leaf size related to temps or to lighting ? The second plant is closer to the lights....

[drtd]

Beautiful! If you lift up the lower leaves on the cooler grown ones you may see some gemmae clinging to the sides of the crown. These will grow into clones of the mother :-)

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[orchidsarefun]

update - some of the plants a year later.
The new leaf growth is not sticky, so presumably that is a type of dormancy? Can also be grown closer together without becoming a sticky mess........though I wonder if they aren't sticky because they are so close together ?
These receive tap water ( Lake Michigan water ) and are doing well.....

[Ordphien]

Excellent! I can't keep these guys alive. So I'll enjoy yours

[drtd]

Lack of dew production is usually a sign of too high of temps, or too low of humidity. This is most likely what is causing the wrinkled leaves as well. What are your temps in your growing area? I grow mine outdoors year round in zone 8. They go dormant for a month or so in the dead of winter, but usually grow there best in cooler temps (65°-70°).

[orchidsarefun]

temps indoors are set to 70f. Humidity is upwards of 55%.
However under lights, the temp probably rises to +-76f
I don't think its temps as my one in the basement - max temp 65f - looks exactly the same and is also non-sticky?
Someone previously had said that its a sign of dormancy ? no food required ? These don't remain non-sticky......