Pinguicula

[WimB]

Pinguicula is one of my favorite genusses (one of the many )

Here are some pics of some of the species I grow:

P. corsica
P. dertosensis
P. grandiflora var. rosea
P. grandiflora
P. mundii

They are very easy plants to grow....I grow them outside either on pure peat or on a mix of 50% peat and 50% riversand. I've always sown them on the sand/peat mix or on pure spaghnum!

A very nice site about this genus is "A World of Pinguicula": http://www.pinguicula.org/

[ronm]

Great plants Wim, and possibly the definitive link! For those keen on the 'alpine' species only, I suggest follow the link and then enter 'virtual visits'. Check out Jurg Steigers dedication to alpines!
Is the P.corsica growing in your collection Wim, or is it a picture from nature. I ask as it seems to be in plenty of water.

[WimB]

Ron,

it's a picture from my garden, taken a few minutes after a shower, hence the water...normally I keep the peat just moist, but not that wet!

[ronm]

Understood Wim. Shows what they can deal with though! Thanks for sharing.

[ronm]

Did you grow all these from seed Wim? I find seed the best way of establishing a colony, do you?

[Graham Catlow]

[quote author=ronm link=topic=8582.msg231871#msg231871

Do you have to do any weeding in the pot, as i would think that the moss and other invaders would soon become overgrown given such a perfect environment.
[/quote]

Hi, no weeding of the moss it seems to keep itself under control. The odd weed seedling appears but nothing to cause too much trouble.

[ronm]

Thanks Graham.  Your results speak for themselves. Hope I can emulate your growing success with this Genus one day.
Would you share seed through this forum to new members later in the year so they too can enjoy growing your strong Pings?

[Graham Catlow]

Thanks Graham.  Your results speak for themselves. Hope I can emulate your growing success with this Genus one day.
Would you share seed through this forum to new members later in the year so they too can enjoy growing your strong Pings?

I can let you have some fresh seed when its ready. I will try to remember, but you may need to remind me.

[ronm]

Thats a lovely offer Graham. Thank you. If anyone would like fresh seed please PM Graham around March/ April? Is that about right Graham? If there are any species you would like to try Graham let me know and I will organise for you, if I can.

[Graham Catlow]

Flowering in May for me so the seed will probably be ready by June.

[ronm]

Thanks Graham. Very generous. Hope we can reciprocate with other species.

[WimB]

Did you grow all these from seed Wim? I find seed the best way of establishing a colony, do you?

Ron,

almost all of them came from seed (except for the pink grandiflora). From seed, for me is the best way to grow them. I think that's a fact with a lot of plants, be it CP's, alpines, bulbs, shade-loving plants...!

[ronm]

Absolutely agree Wim. Seems they settle in and once established are happy to stay! Getting fresh seed is always the issue for most people. With some Genera its not so vital, but with Pings I think it is, don't you?. That's why I think if we as growers can help others who want to grow this Genus, by providing fresh seed as soon as its ripe to them then all the better for us.

[Martin Tversted]

There are many species of hardy pings offered as seeds. However, not all is fresh which it need to be from these plants. Another way of getting them is from hibernacular which is small buds developed during the cold months. Many plants produces a lot of these and they can be send in envelopes is a little live sphagnummoss. Of the mexican species the succulent winter leafs can be used as propagation material and even send the same way.
I grow the mexican species under artificial light as I think they grow better this way, 5C in winter.

Martin

[WimB]

Absolutely agree Wim. Seems they settle in and once established are happy to stay! Getting fresh seed is always the issue for most people. With some Genera its not so vital, but with Pings I think it is, don't you?. That's why I think if we as growers can help others who want to grow this Genus, by providing fresh seed as soon as its ripe to them then all the better for us.

Pinguicula is a genus that needs fresh seeds to germinate indeed! Although I've had germination of old seed too, but then it's very eratic.
I'm always willing to share the seeds! Let's see what we can swap in a couple of months!