Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 1/20/2012

Question
QUESTION: I purchased a Drosophyllum from you guys not too long ago and I have a question about watering.  How often should one water it during the summer?  I live in zone 9 in Southern California and it can get quite hot and sunny in the summer (85-100F average).  Currently, I water it every three days and have it in a 12" terra cotta pot in full sun and it seems to like it.

Also, how often should one water a Pinguicula Gigantea hybrid during the winter?  I know they form a resting bud during cold weather months and need little (if any?) water during this hibernation period for them?

Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Akira,

With your Drosophyllum, you have to use your judgement during the summer depending on your temperatures.  Since you have it in a terracotta pot, watch the exterior of the pot.  If it shows water (darkening of the pot exterior), you're probably fine.  If you're having a stretch of really hot weather, you may need to water it every other day or so.  Watch the plant too.  Drosophyllum will start to droop when they are low on water just like most plants, so if you ever see that, water it right away.

When your P. gigantea goes dormant it can be bone dry.  I have a P. x "Titan" in my kitchen window, (a gigantea hybrid) and when all the big fleshy leaves die off, I stop watering.  In early May I resume.  If you have it outside, when your weather starts to warm in spring, resume watering.  For your area that would probably around the first of April.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com


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

QUESTION: Thank you for the helpful advice.  I have another question, can one grow Pinguicula Gigantea (and their various hybrids) outside?

As stated, I'm in zone 9, Southern California and I know not place these plants in the full sun.  I'm planning to put it in a south facing location under a large tree in my yard.  There's some direct sun in the morning hours at this location and then it's partially shady, but still indirectly bright due to the large tree later in the day.  Will Pinguicula be happy here year round?

Also, the P. Gigantea x Montezuma hybrid I ordered from you, it doesn't seem to be in a dormant state and seems healthy, sticky leaves and all.  Is this normal or does this species not go dormant?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Akira,

They should be fine outdoors in Southern California.  If you do think it's possible that you might get a frost, bring them in overnight.  Some Mexican pings can survive a light frost, but others won't.  I haven't experimented enough with them like that to know for sure.  Many of them come from high elevations in Central Mexico, and from a couple reports from others, it sounds like frosts can occur.  This website has good maps so it might be helpful:  http://www.pinguicula.org/pages/pages_principales/pictures.htm

The gigantea x moctezumae often doesn't go dormant if photoperiods are kept longer, and the plant is kept consistently damp.  It's a very vigorous plant.  In general I'm seeing that many of the P. moctezumae hybrids seem to grow continuously if kept wet, and they are catching prey or being fed.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com