Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2000 16:13:21 +0200 From: strega@split.it (Tassara) To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2803$foo@default> Subject: Re: Intermedia Questions
Hi Kit,
>More questions about Drosera intermedia flowers:
>
>Do they ever actually bloom? My plants have had flower stalks for
>ages, but I have yet to see a flower. I've seen bits of white peeking
>through the green, but the petals all seem to have turned a dingy
>yellow-brown before the sepals fully open. I know these flowers
>self-pollinate, so I'm holding out some vague hope that this doesn't
>mean that my flowers are just rotting on the stem.
If your plant is already produced its fourth flower stalk I'm pretty sure it
is healthy and its flowers do open regularly.
The problem with them is that they are ephemeral and they last really a very
short time: my flowers are usually fully open from 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.;
then they quickly close themselves, self-pollinate and produce lots of seed.
So if you work during the week and you like making trips during holidays you
have little chance to ever see them.
>Will these plants stop flowering? All of my plants seem to have third
>& even fourth flower stalks coming up.
If you have a temperate form it will stop flowering shortly before forming
the hibernacula and going dormant.
I'm not sure the tropical form would ever stop.
>Assuming they are okay, how will I know when the seed is ready to harvest?
When the capsules turn black/grey: then they open and you'll see the nice
grey seeds.
>Questions about Utricularia intermedia:
>
>First of all, is anyone else growing this? I ask because it seems to
>be a fairly obscure plant.
I agree it is strangely difficult finding informatin about this plant,
although it is in cultivation from a very long time.
>Barry suggested growing these as affixed aquatics, but mine don't
>seem to be very motivated to affix themselves....
>
>Barry was also kind enough to tell me how to construct a proper
>habitat for them, putting down a layer of peat followed by a layer of
>sand to hold down the peat with water to the top. I did just that,
>but when I got the plants they were in a big ball of peat so I now
>have a layer of peat on top of the sand. Is it worth burying the peat
>under the sand, or is it okay as-is?
In the wild there is usually no sand on the peat and I'm not sure the
vertical stolons are able to bury themselves under it (while they do this
quite easily in the peaty mud of the bottom).
I don't mean using sand is wrong in growing U. intermedia; it just could
prevent the affixing of the plant.
Also, the stolons are not strongly affixed in pure peat and if you pull them
they'll easily come out.
In the wild dead leaves laying on the bottom may help the anchoring.
Also, if you grow your plants in deep water (more than 10-15 cm.) vertical
stolons may not reach the substrate.
>Dormancy: the plan is to leave them out over the Winter, as I know
>they spend a lot of time under snow in their native habitat. Should I
>drain most of the water out of the pot, or just let it freeze? I put
>them in a tapered bowl so that it wouldn't crack if the water freezes.
It should survive well with or without water (on wet peat, of course).
You could also collect the turions and keep them in the fridge during winter.
>These plants were apparently going dormant before I got them, but
>they seem to have changed their minds; the leaves have doubled or
>tripled in length & they're producing traps up to about a quarter of
>an inch in length.
How a beautiful and polymorphic plant! It is a pity it isn't more widespread
in cultivation. In fact it is not always very easy.
I've been told it is difficult to induce it to flower. Did anybody succeed
in it?
Good intermedia growing!
Filippo Tassara
Genoa, Italy
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