Expert: Christopher Littrell - 8/5/2009

Question
i just rescue a ping. or butterworth last night from lowes i repoted in 40-60 peat and perlite and i just wanna know how do the leaf get sticky and goo on it does it need huminity or sunlight?

Answer
Hello Aaron,

Pinguiculas, or Butterworts, prefer more drainage in their soil and prefer more mineral content. You may want to pot them in 1/3 to 1/2 sphagnum peat and 1/4 to 1/3 perlite with 1/4 to 1/3 vermiculite. Butterworts do not like standing water nor soil quite so moist as other carnivorous plants. Just keep the soil moist and do not allow the pot to sit in standing water for over a day at a time. Best bet is just to water the plant once every 3 or 4 days enough for some water to run out the drain holes, then stop.

The mucus on the leaves of Butterworts is a product of the plant. It generates the mucus as a result of sunlight, so the plant needs energy from light. Be cautious about sunlight with butterworts. Butterworts are unable to resist ultraviolet light from intense sunlight, so direct sun is not required. Keep the plant under slight shading or indoors in a window that receives morning sunlight and plenty of ambient light all day. I keep mine in a south facing window, but around a corner where they get some morning light, but are sheilded from the hot midday sun. I also keep florescent light of up to 12000 lumens about 8 inches over them. Butterworts exposed to direct sun often burn rather quickly.

If the humidity level changes drasically from high to low, the plant will stop producing mucus and will droop or die back while it adjusts. Slow changes in environment are preferable for any plant. Plants in general simply cannot adjust easily to fast changes in environment. Place a clear plastic cover over the plant and punch half a dozen 1/4 inch holes in the cover every 3 days until it no longer holds in humidity and can be removed after about 2 weeks or so. A clear plastic bag works well for this humidity adaptation tactic.

Christopher