Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 5/4/2011

Question
QUESTION: What zones are Pinguicula Caerulea and Pinguicula Lutea in ?
And can I grow them outside during summer and winter ?  

Thank you, Jake zone 5

ANSWER: Those species are native to zone 8 regions, primarily in northern Florida.  In many respects, their care is very similar to Pinguicula primuliflora, a plant also native to northern Florida.  In our experience, we see these plants as being a bit more tender than other carnivorous plants from the same region.  While they overwinter just fine at our nursery in zone 8, other growers have difficulty keeping them alive for more than a season.  

If you want to grow these species, I recommend growing them in a similar fashion as Mexican butterworts.  As long as you keep them in a windowsill, the natural drop in sunlight during the winter months will be enough to give these plants a short winter rest.  

For more information about growing these species, watch our video on Pinguicula primuliflora.  The recommended care for caerulea and lutea is exactly the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fMIi2f4KLA

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can I still grow them outside shaded by Sarracenia?
Also, would I be able to put the dormant bud in a plastic  bag in the
refrigerator.( in winter )

Answer
Yes, that would be fine.  They appreciate dappled sunlight.  I'm not sure about putting them in the refrigerator, however.  This is where it gets really tricky because these plants are extremely prone to fungus.  Even with spraying, the odds of loss is very high in the refrigerator.  It might be best to set them on a cool windowsill for the winter.  Because they retain their leaves during the winter, they need air circulation.  Without it, the plant often rots away.