Pinguicula (aka butterworts) - Orchid Board

Paul · #1 09-07-2013, 02:49 PM

Since a couple folks have asked me about the ones I have, figured it would be just as well to create a thread about them.

Many pings do undergo a dormancy period. During that stage, they produce a very different sort of leaf ... one that is smaller and more succulent in nature and lacks the mucilage for trapping prey. How much smaller those leaves are depends greatly upon the type of ping involved. In some species and hybrids, it is very drastic with the entire plant reducing itself to half the size or less than when in carnivorous mode. In some pings, dormancy is triggered by cooler temps and shortened daylength. In others it is triggered by drier conditions. It all depends upon where they are from. Some are very hardline about the dormancy conditions. Some really don't require anything special during dormancy. And, of course, there are those species which don't have a dormancy stage at all.

Both types I have do undergo a winter dormancy. Leading up to that stage, leaves are produced which are thicker, a bit smaller, and not the least bit sticky. The older carnivorous leaves wither away. Dormancy conditions for me are a breeze -- I just put them on a windowsill in my bedroom between the window and the curtain (its cooler there). Water is greatly reduced. Now I do know of folks who, with the same pings I have, don't bother reducing the water and just keep them at room temp and the plants survive their dormancy just fine. So as with so many times one receives advice ... your mileage may vary. In the spring, the pings produce larger, sticky leaves. I up the water at this point.

One of the nice things with Pings, IMO, is the flowers. While there isn't a large color palette to choose from (white through pink/purple is about it), the flowers are quite long lasting.

Pinguicula moranensis

the carnivorous stage

This one, at least for me has a very definite blooming season ... namely now (late summer).

*Note: Flower color is pretty much spot on in this photo

P. Aphrodite (agnata x moctezumae)

The carnivorous stage and the dormant stage on this one look just about the same.

Not sure if it is the result of being hybrid, but this one blooms frequently throughout the year. It took a hiatus a early to mid summer, but is blooming again now and bloomed off and on through the winter.

*the periwinkle "blue" here is accurate, as the flowers age, they often fade to a lighter color

Currently, most of my moran. are just starting to bud up but Aphrodite is showing off, so my community ping pot looks like this

RosieC · #2 09-08-2013, 04:32 PM

Cool!

I have just one, but don't know what species or hybrid. It's flowers are like the more violet in your aphrodite. It shrinks in size over the winter but we've not changed it's care during dormancy in past years. I can't say the leaves look thicker then, but the plant does shrink, then grow again in the spring.

We used to have two, but the second got greenfly and died. We also bought another two last year but they also got greenfly. We've tried submerging them to get rid of the greenfly, but not sure if we've either realised about the greenfly too late, or if it's the submersion that's killed them... but none of them lasted much longer after that.

I find them the most effective of the carnivors I've tried at keeping down the gnats, but we have a pitcher that actually does quite well at that as well.

When I first got them I thought I wouldn't like the look of the leaves always covered in gnats, but they grow new leaves that cover the old ones all the time and it's not a problem.

Just wish I could get more than just this one to successfully grow for us.

Picotee · #3 09-09-2013, 08:14 AM

Not familiar with these at all. Interesting little carnivors. Thanks for sharing, Paul.

orchidsarefun · #4 09-09-2013, 08:48 AM

I have mine outdoors for the Summer and the ironic thing is that they were attacked by some caterpillar. It ate circular holes in the leaves from the underside up.
I think I got them all, noticed them after I noticed the holes appearing. I thought they wouldn't have a predator as they themselves are a predator !
Thanks for the info on the dormancy. I had asked in this forum about a lack of mucus on mine and was told it needed more sun.
Mine propagates easily. 1 became 3 and then I planted a leaf in moss and it looks as if its growing........but then they get a lot of food in the form of fungus gnats or dried blood worms.
I have tried pollinating too, we will see what happens as it wasn't done very scientifically....

bethmarie · #5 10-09-2013, 05:11 PM

Thanks to all of you for the thread and the information. I've been playing with the idea of a couple carnivorous plants for a while. This makes me want to find out more about Pinguicula

AnonYMouse · #6 10-09-2013, 05:22 PM

I have a hybrid, "Pirouette". I thought it was going to stay a little pompom. It grew out. It doesn't catch anything. I've been told since that hybrids aren't as good catchers as species.

Leafmite · #7 10-09-2013, 06:07 PM

Your pings are gorgeous, Paul! Love the Aphrodite.

Mine looks like your first but never goes dormant. They do take a break from flowering, usually, when they run out of fungus gnats. Whatever my ping is, I really enjoy it.

Paul · #8 10-09-2013, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

I have a hybrid, "Pirouette". I thought it was going to stay a little pompom. It grew out. It doesn't catch anything. I've been told since that hybrids aren't as good catchers as species.

The "pompom" may have been its dormant stage.

Hmm, my Aphrodite seems to do fine in the gnat department .........

RandomGemini · #9 10-09-2013, 06:48 PM

I picked up my first one today! I've never seen them available locally, but lucked out when I stopped by a local nursery and they were putting together a display of carnivorous plants for halloween. She had one that had lost its ID tag that she sold me, so I have no idea which one it is. I'll have to try to ID it.

Great thread! Thanks for putting this together Paul! I especially love the photos!

AnonYMouse · #10 10-09-2013, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

The "pompom" may have been its dormant stage.

Hmm, my Aphrodite seems to do fine in the gnat department .........

Just occurred to me, I haven't seen gnats in a while. But when I did have'em, they weren't on the ping!

Lucky you, Gemini. I haven't seen any available here since I got mine. I've checked the big online vendor and they are always out of stock.