Leaf Pullings - Root Development

[matt]

I have recently taken leaf pullings from four different Pinguicula. Three of the Ping's quickly produced plantlets on their leaves and as of yet have shown no root development (P.agnata, P. cyclosecta and P. mor 'alba'). The remaining Ping (P. mor 'La Vuleta), was much slower to produce plantlets, but almost immediately they began growing roots.

Have people made similar observations? I think it unlikely to be controlled by environment and must either by a function of where the plants are at in their growth cycle when the leaf pullings were taken or on a species/cultivar basis.

Another question I have is when do people generally remove the plantlets and pot them up? When the mother leaf dies or when they have developed a healthy root system? Thanks in advance.

[pinglover]

Pinguicula in general have extremely shallow root systems and don't produce a lot of roots. I've found the smaller the plantlet, the less likely I am to be able to see any root development. Doesn't always mean there is no development, just means I can't see well enough to find any without a little help.

One of the best things I ever did was buy a 5x magnifying glass. I purchased the classic Sherlock Holmes style. Once I had my handy dandy magnifying glass, I learned that most plantlets had the starts of root systems however I hadn't been able to see them with my naked eye. I also learned that some plantlets simply weren't forming roots until the parent leaf was almost totally desiccated. I suspect those plantlets were still living off the fat of the land and simply weren't shooting out roots until they had to. P. gigantea is one that seems to hold out developing roots until the eleventh hour for me.

I try to take leaf pulls in early spring from tropical pings as plantlets are more likely to form roots. Will admit that I've rooted leaves from tropicals after the ideal time just because I was re-potting them and the leaves fell off. With little exception, most of those formed roots sooner or later.

When to replant for me is dictated by a few things. When I notice the plantlets have at least 4 little leaves, when the parent leaf is completely dried up, and when I have time. I'm starting them all in vermiculite and either have them in a food storage container with a clear lid or a tray with plastic wrap stretched over the top to retain humidity so I see no big rush transplanting them to their own little individual pots or to a bonsai pot until I can do so at my leisure. These are tough little plants and seem to be able to withstand me not being a doting ping parent quite nicely.