Carnivorous Plants/Bladderwort

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Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 11/6/2009


Question

Utricularia subulata
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

Sarracenia Northwest

Expertise

If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!

Experience

With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again. Get the straight facts from the guys who grow and propagate thousands of these plants every year.

Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.

No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.


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