Pinguicula, the Butterworts

[Ross]

Over the past couple years there have been some discussion threads regarding control of flying insects in Orchidariums (tanks). I thought I'd describe how I am contolling lots of fungus gnats and shore flies without resorting to ugly yellow fly traps. I have done this, and (to be honest) those things work for trapping the adults and eventually controlling the populations, but they are ugly and distract from the work we have done to set up an esthetic tank, even if not a true vivarium or terrarium.

I have been growing Butterworts, Round-leaved Sundews and Venus Fly Traps in my tank for this last summer with varying results. I am concerned the fly traps will require winter rest in a refridge to make it, so they probably aren't all that viable. The Sundews look extremely viable and do their job very well, but tend to overpopulate a pot very quickly. I won't give up on this guy, but still am reserved as to how good he will be at doing the job he's hired to do.

Now as for Pinguicula (the Butterworts). These guys are nothing but fantastic at earning their keep. They thrive in relatively low light (but will do better in as much as 1800 FCs) and need only RO water for moisture (great when you mist with RO or distilled water). When I first placed three plants in the tank, the plants were small and in their own pots. The flies flocked to them overnight. The next morning they were covered. As the plants grew, they outgrew the net pots I had placed them in. So I decided on a flat planter that barely made it into the tank. I use NZ sphagnum with some siftings from my Paph mix (it has shell and other small stuff that these guys seem to like) as a topping. Here's the results as of last night.



The plant on the left is P. 'Weser' ( a Mexican hybrid) and the one to the right with two blossoms is P. 'Gina' (also a Mexican hybrid). There is one more that has not bloomed yet that will introduce in the future when it graces me with it's fragrant bloom.

Hope you enjoy, and thanks for looking.

[Tindomul]

Ross, I really like this genus of carnivorous plants. However the one thing besides money that has stopped my from getting a few is the fact that I don't know how wet these guys like it. If I were to get some, would I plant them in my moist soil, wet soil, or should plant them in a really dry spot. THe other thing I was afraid of was light levels, but you addressed that issue here.
Do they flower freely?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Ross, I really like this genus of carnivorous plants. However the one thing besides money that has stopped my from getting a few is the fact that I don't know how wet these guys like it. If I were to get some, would I plant them in my moist soil, wet soil, or should plant them in a really dry spot. THe other thing I was afraid of was light levels, but you addressed that issue here.
Do they flower freely?

Wet? Really wet, like dripping wet, like standing water. Can tolerate less watewr, but needs to be RO or distilled.

Light levels: they like pretty bright light if you want the coloration on the leaves, but mine are at less than 700FCs and bloom well.

Bloom: yep. They do their thing. A couple are actually fragrant.

Tindo, I would definitely recommend at least one of these in one of your tanks. The frogs would love it (might just lap up the flies from the surface! ) They seem to get really big (remember I do fertilize my plants ) and you should leave a bit of space for them. These guys get really very little fertilizer, yet seem to grow leaps and bounds.

[Tindomul]

Great! In that case, I have several tanks for them. Thanks Ross.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Great! In that case, I have several tanks for them. Thanks Ross.

Tindo, a really great source of plants is Cascade Carnivors Cascade Carnivores This is the Butterworts page. You'll have to create a sign in profile, no swet.

[Dorothy]

Ross -
The flies get caught in the hairs of the leaves and die?
or do the leaves exude some kind of toxin to the insects that kill them?

[Ross]

Nope, they stick to the surface of the leaves. Now how this guy digests the bugs is beyond me.. maybe someone here knows. All I know is the flies get stuck just like the yellow sticky cards, then get "eaten" somehow.

[Dorothy]

I found it, Ross!
under Leaves and carnivory
Pinguicula - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Very interesting!

[Ross]

That seems to explain it all. Thanks Dot!

[Dorothy]

You are very welcome!