Date: Wed, 01 Sep 1999 20:35:18 +0000 From: Paul Temple <Paultemple@ecologycal.demon.co.uk> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg3110$foo@default> Subject: Failed plant hunter responds!
Hi Jan.
>As far as I remember, you did not find any _Pinguicula_ in the
>habitats you visited in the Andes. Could the fact that you have not
>witnessed snow, ice or any other form of humidity be the reason why
>the Pinguicula did not like these places?
A good memory! Absolutely true that I found no plants. I hope you
wrote this mail with a huge grin on your face. But I'm afraid the
answer is no. While in Venezuela I visited the herbarium before going
to actual documented sites for P. elongata. The plants are difficult to
find (obviously!) and I'm sure this is because when at rest, the crowns
(resting rosettes) are small and buried in the black soil so impossible
to see without knowing exactly where to dig. The area I visited was the
highest peak in the central (between East and west) part of the
venezuelan Andes mountain range and does not get snow or ice as far as I
know (though occassional frost might just occur, but not every night.
It does get very cold though.). Plants may occur in higher areas such
as on the borders of Colombia and Venezuela (I know there are plants
there but I do not know if they are at altitudes where snow or ice is
guaranteed) but since they definately grow below the snow line, I think
that avoiding freezing temperaures may be the lowest risk. After all,
if seeds fail to germinate after 6 weeks we can always stratify them.
But if we stratify them now and they don't like it, this would be
ireversible!
Ah well, I don't have enough seed to try everything so stratification
will need to wait. I'll let you know if germination is successful (or
not!).
Chau
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