Not the plant for those with OCD

[Dante1709]

I've always wanted a ping and I've been putting it off off for a while now, but seeing this thread and how many insects they catch makes me want one! I don't have any pests that I know of, but I think it'll help keep my collection interesting when my orchids aren't bloom.

[NYCorchidman]

Thank you for the reply and the picture of the entire plant.
They look much smaller than mine unless the pot is very big.
How big is the pot??

Mine has a name tag but it just says pinguicula.
It is in 3 in plastic pot and the plant is slight bigger than the pot. and it is just one growth.

Does this help at all??

Maybe I should upload a picture.

[RosieC]

I moved mine into a different room because I had spotted a gnat in the other room. It is now covered in them. Couldn't believe how many were in there!

[Paul]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I moved mine into a different room because I had spotted a gnat in the other room. It is now covered in them. Couldn't believe how many were in there!

So your ping's formerly natty appearance is now "gnatty"?

[NYCorchidman]

Yes, pitcher plants!
They were the short tubby looking plants with mostly green and yellow.
I guess I killed it by drying it up.

I would love to have tall skinny variety with white/red colored lid ( no idea what the correct name of that structure at the opening of the "tube").

[Dante1709]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Yes, pitcher plants!
They were the short tubby looking plants with mostly green and yellow.
I guess I killed it by drying it up.

I would love to have tall skinny variety with white/red colored lid ( no idea what the correct name of that structure at the opening of the "tube").

That's probably Sarracenia leucophylla. It's a gorgeous plant and you can find it in many hybrids.

I'd try to find a species that is hardy to your area, and grow it outdoors. They need full sun, and a winter dormancy.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Flower stalk method, does it matter if flowers are already open or not?

Nope.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Also, do you plant the cut spike upright having the cut end in the moss (or whatever else one might choose to pot the thing in) or just lay the whole thing sideway?

Generally one lays the cutting on its side ... pressed down (but not buried) in the media. High humidity and keeping the media constantly moist is necessary.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Well, ever since it got here, the drier air (I believe is the reason) seems to have caused my ping produce much sticky substance.

With both Drosera (sundews) and pings, the amount of dew produced is generally a function of the amount/intensity of light received. The more light, the more dew.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

My venus flytrap seems too large for gnats. never seen it catch anything but I actually go out and catch bugs myself to feed it (and to see the trap snap close haha).

Gnats are far too small for vfts unless, perhaps, they are young seedlings. It generally takes much larger prey to trigger the trigger hairs on a vft trap. Despite their name, in the wild, their most common prey are ants.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I also tried this tube shaped carnivorous plant last year. I don't think it attracted anything either.

Pitcher plants tend to catch larger prey like hornets, flies, etc.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I see them available again now at Whole Foods market, but I don't find them cute anymore. well, at least the variety they carry.

BBS often carry them -- usually in those little acrylic cubes that are the death of pretty much any plant.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Yes, pitcher plants!
They were the short tubby looking plants with mostly green and yellow.
I guess I killed it by drying it up.

Most probably. Particularly when in active growth, sarrs want constant moisture. You can leave many in a tray filled with water as they do well with "wet feet". Some types require a cold winter dormancy to maintain vigor.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I would love to have tall skinny variety with white/red colored lid ( no idea what the correct name of that structure at the opening of the "tube").

Here's a pic from the web to answer some of your basic anatomy Qs:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._basic.svg.png

[Skycat]

Originally Posted by Paul

Nope.




Generally one lays the cutting on its side ... pressed down (but not buried) in the media. High humidity and keeping the media constantly moist is necessary.

It also works to plant it upright, though. That's what I did.

[NYCorchidman]

Thank you for all the wonderful answers, Paul!