Pinguicula aka Butterworts

[orchidsarefun]

I started out with 2.......and have ended up with a lot more. I am experimenting with propagation and they seem to grow ( but slowly ) from leaf cuttings planted stem down in sphagnum moss. They also readily have basal keikis which can also be split off. Interesting thing is that they are in my basement ( high 66, low 55 ) and show no signs of dormancy. The only noticeable difference is the lack of flower buds. The one grown in much warmer conditions is still developing buds. I haven't fed them dried blood worms for months and they have had to make do with the occasional fungus gnat, and these are few and far between as the population of these has virtually disappeared.

If you look carefully you can see the "keikis" developing on the plant in front. ( on the right-hand side )

[Paul]

Though most pings have a dormancy not all do. Some have none at all and some may or may not go dormant depending upon conditions. Any idea just what pings you have?

[seaj]

I really wanted one before I had all my plants in semi-hydro. With no more gnats, the plants wouldn't be so fun. The blooms do look delightful though so if I ever come across one I'll take it home.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by Paul

Though most pings have a dormancy not all do. Some have none at all and some may or may not go dormant depending upon conditions. Any idea just what pings you have?

the "regular" ones . I don't have the name. They were sold as Cape Butterwort.

[drtd]

Have they flowered yet? If they have large (relative) purple/pink flowers born singularly, the are most likely Pinguicula grandiflora. Smaller pinkish flowers born singularly or in pairs, then most likely Pinguicula vulgaris. Both are native to the Cape of South Africa (as well as most other temperate coastal areas of the world (including North America) they don't necessarily need a dormancy, but will flower better if given one. I grow mine outdoors year round in my bog garden and they have spread like wildfire. I live in the Pacific Northwest (Zone 8b).

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[orchidsarefun]

mine must be grandiflora. They develop buds under lights but then they just keel over and die. I had a lot of flowers during Summer when they were outdoors. Loved the heat and dappled shade. They also caught an unbelievable amount of tiny critters.........

[drtd]

Nice! Yeah, they can run out of steam this time of year. Best to just snip the buds and watch them flower like crazy next spring/summer!

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[NYCorchidman]

That one plant must be special. It has the most bugs stuck to it. lol

[Harvy Howard]

My curiosity aroused, I looked online for a "cape butterwort," but drew a blank. Then, checking a couple of deadtree (hardcopy) gardening texts, I was reminded of how much simpler life was in days gone by. For example, "Sanders' Encyclopaedia of Gardening" [22nd edition 1966] lists just 4 species of Pinguicula of interest to gardeners, namely:

P. caudata (flowers carmine) a "greenhouse" species
P. alpina (white and yellow)
P. grandiflora (blue and violet)
P.vulgaris the "bog violet" or "butterwort" (violet)

"Taylor's Encyclopedia of Gardening" (1961) claims that the genus comprises over 40 species, but lists only two of garden interest:

P. grandiflora: flowers 1" long and 3/4" across, the lobes wavy.
P. vulgaris (butterwort, common bog violet): flowers 1/2" long and broad.

Today, however, Wikipedia list no fewer than 83 species, and references an "International Pinguicula Study Group," formed in the 1990s.

What caught my eye in the wiki entry was a comment worthy of quoting here:

"Two of the most widely grown plants are the hybrid cultivars Pinguicula × 'Sethos' and Pinguicula × 'Weser'. Both are crosses of Pinguicula ehlersiae and Pinguicula moranensis, and are employed by commercial orchid nurseries to combat pests." [end quote]

[drtd]

Interesting. I've tried employing various carnivorous plants in my greenhouse as pest management over the years, including various pings and sundews, with mediocre results. They look cool, and do trap insects, but not very effective. Predator insects and good hygiene are the best approach to IPM.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk