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You are here: Experts > Style > Gardening > Carnivorous Plants > Bladderwort
Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 11/6/2009
Question
Hello,
What can I do to encourage my utricularia subulata to flower? There has been a lot of new leaf growth since I got the plant, but no flowers. It is in the standard 50:50 peat/perlite mix, un-drained container. It is in a corner where it gets sun from a south and east window. I only water distilled water, the soil is always very wet. I have had the plant for about four months. Here is a picture of the plant.
Answer
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the photo. It helps out a lot. Based on the photo, it really doesn't look like it's getting enough sunlight, despite being in a south/southeast window. The long lanky leaves are characteristic of a plant growing in inadequate lighting. Ideally the leaves will be slightly long, but compact. Your mass looks a bit bushy, which is uncharacteristic for this species. Make sure the plant receives at least four hours of direct sun.
You also have the plant in an undrained container. I've never grown Utricularia in this manner. I know that other growers have done so with great success, and I also know that other growers have done so with great failure.
Be careful about this particular method. What most growers don't tell you is that you need to let the water level go down quite a bit before adding more water. This growing method is a closed system and can create an anaerobic environment for bacteria. By letting the water go done completely before adding more water, you're allowing air to get in the soil, which helps maintain healthy roots.
The other thing that helps this plant flower is heat. This plant isn't fond of cool nights. Even at our nursery in Oregon, it doesn't flower that regularly because of our cool nights. Folks in the southern parts of the US will usually see a plethora of flowers throughout the year.
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
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