My P. planifolia submersion technique..

[Brian Barnes]

Hello All! Due to the emails i've received for more info on my famous ;D Pinguicula planifolia submersion technique, I figured here's a wonderful place to share it!
Firstly, NEVER do this technique in the Summer or in VERY hot weather exceeding 95F...you might lose your plants to rot. Cool, fall weather is the best time to begin and experiment with your growing conditions. I prefer to grow my P. planifolia in a mix of 3/4 sand to 1/4 peat, as it mimics the conditions in the wild and as i've seen them many times in this type soil. Slowly fill the container to submerge them completely and leave only the tips of the crown leaves above water. Try not to pour quickly, as this will cover the leaves in peat/sediment. Round tupperware containers with no drainage of course, work best...
Believe it or not, you want STRONG sun while submerged, thats why cooler temps are crucial. Let the container sit for three weeks submerged. During this time is when i experience a "growth explosion" with my Pinguicula planifolia. I theorize that the plant produces larger leaves to make up for lack of sun via UV reduction during submersion. During the fourth week, slowly allow the container to become very wet to the touch and then only moist. Now, here's where you'll "color" your plant by exposing the new jumbo leaves to strong sun, to achieve that lovely red hue!
Keep your plants in this moist-only condition for one month, then submerge again. REMEMBER to discontinue treatment when constantly hot weather conditions return...
This will allow you to grow huge "cabbage head sized" Pinguicula planifolia and you'll be amazed at how it affects flowering with TONS of spikes in Spring!



I have successfully maintained the same adult plants for over two years in cultivation, using this technique. Many have divided and now have multiple crowns, a phenomena rarely seen with this species. I'll be constantly updating everyone on my success and donating some seed from my "giants" to the ICPS seed bank in Spring.

Best of luck and enjoy these gorgeous red gems!
Happy Growing,
Brian.

[agoo]

it`s a wow!...i wonder!..

full particulars will oblige..

My favourites a Pinguicula..

[jeff]

'genial ' in french , great this submersion technique .

do you apply also with P.ionantha and primuliflora .

jeff

[Brian Barnes]

Hi Jeff!
I'm just now experimenting with P. ionantha and P. primuliflora, as far as completely submerging them...
I do keep both species VERY wet and they love it.
Happy Growing,
Brian.

[jeff]

here in europe often we cultive primuliflora just in sphagnum alive.

then you with these 3 planifolia - ionantha- primuliflora you use what substrat?

and for the others lutea-caerulea-pumila ?

thank for your answer.

jeff

[Brian Barnes]

Hi Jeff,
For P. lutea, P. caerulea, P. pumila and P. ionantha, I use dead Chilean sphagnum moss. For some reason, only these species love that sort of media here...

P. Planifolia and P. primuliflora, I grow in half sand, half peat and VERY wet. Actually, my P. planifolia is grown in a mix of about 75% course sand and 25% peat, which works extremely well here in my growing conditions, especially during submersion.
Have you experimented with growing P. planifolia in extremely wet conditions using live sphagnum? That's something I haven't tried.....yet!
Happy Growing,
Brian.

[jeff]

in the wild for lutea-caerulea-pumila what are their substrat ? for the others also.
full sun or in shade ?

with you it is a opportunity for me to know , you see some one 'in situ'

for me these species are very difficult to cultivate ,I do not know their wild condition ,

I never tested, except on primuliflora, my plants are too invaluable, here in Europe it is hard to have some one , including seeds.

you you can try , you have the material for ;D

thank for all these info.

jeff

[Brian Barnes]

Hi Jeff!
Here's some pics of P. lutea in it's natural habitat...
You can see the tall grasses that surround the plants for most of the year, with maybe a few hours of semi-direct sun per day, depending on solstice, of course. You'll also notice most of the leaves are kept drier from being on top of the grasses...
P. lutea, P. caerulea and P. pumila all grow in these same habitats, (but P. pumila likes it a little bit sandier and faster-drying)
Average soil ratios/recommendations based on observance of the mentioned species in the wild= 3/4 sand, 1/4 peat.

I hope this helps you...
Happy Growing,
Brian.





Here's a pic of a Pinguicula lutea habitat in the Fl. Panhandle...
The shorter grasses is a direct result of mowing from the County. Note the VERY sandy soil;

[jeff]

very nice ,
thanks for this infos.

jeff