Need info on growing requirements for U. gibba.

[Hamata95]

Hi
I am interested in growing U. gibba and I'm wondering what is the easiest way to grow it?

[Apoplast]

Ham95 - In the past several weeks you've asked a multitude of questions about a myriad of species. I'd like to make a suggestion.

Rather than asking so many questions here on the forum about basic cultivation, you might think about buying "The Savage Garden" (http://www.amazon.com/Savage-Garden-Cultivating-Carnivorous-Plants/dp/0898159156) or checking out Barry Rice's excellent, and free, website (http://www.sarracenia.com/faq.html).

All of the questions you've asked are easily answered with searches in these and other sources. Searching for some of the basic answers on your own means you don't have to wait for a reply, and you'll likely answer your next question as you search. Plus, learning the answers to your questions through your own efforts is always more rewarding.

I don't intend to discourage you from asking questions here. If you can't find the answer after looking on your own, then you should absolutely draw upon the amazing expertise present on the forum.

[Hamata95]

Thanks for the suggestions. I do own the savage garden and have read the CPs F.A.Q, I did not mean to ask to many questions I just was looking for more info on those specific species.

[Apoplast]

Don't apologize. Asking questions is important, and everyone here certainly wants to share what they know. It just seemed to me like it would be easier to look up some of the more basic cultivation questions you've been asking, that's all. I know for sure U. gibba is described in "The Savage Garden". In there Peter pretty well summed up what you'll need to know to grow it.

It seems like you are expanding your collection which is great, and that you are starting with the right species on which to cut your teeth. Good luck with your efforts, I'm sure you'll do great.

[Hamata95]

I just wanted to ask would a 2.5 gal aquarium with some peat on the bottom work for U. gibba?

[Apoplast]

The short answer is: You probably don't need the peat, but try it if you like. There is going to be trial and error while learning and that's why you start with tolerant species.

The long answer is: There will be varying opinions on how to grow pretty much any plant. Think of the easier to grow species, such as U. gibba or the Drosera species you've been asking about, as tolerant of greater variation in their cultivation. So as long as you meet the basic requirements for carnivorous plants, you can try a range of conditions.

That said, if you are going to use peat in the aquarium you'll need to think about a few things. The first is that much of it will float. The next is that it will stain the water tea color. Both of these things can be reduced (but not eliminated) by rinsing your peat and only using the peat that sinks while soaking it. Now, rinsing peat has supporters and detractors too. If you want to learn about rinsing peat I'd check out:
www.growsundews.com/rinsing_peat_and_sand_for_carnivorous_plants.html

[Hamata95]

Thanks. I have been using that info a lot with my Drosera and other plants so I will keep that in mind. Thanks again

[Aidan]

Life's too short to rinse peat... ;D

Some ancient and hence not particularly good photos of a U. gibba bottle that I kept on a windowsill for a few years. It was supposed to be U. biloba, but that's another story.







A layer of grit (see photo) will minimise any issues with floating peat.

[sbowe23]

Adian - in your first photo, are the large floating leaves on the water surface U. gibba, or just the thin strands underneath them? I have something that looks just like the large leaves floating in my water trays but have no idea what it is. I've never noticed any traps or flowers on it.
Thanks.

[Aidan]

The leaves at the surface are a floating fern - Salvinia sp. The theory being to lower light levels in the bottle and hence reduce any problems with algae. Seemed to work quite well.

[Apoplast]

Hi Aidan. Thanks for helping me prove my point - opinions will always differ about cultivation (and of course, rinsing peat). And, very nice Salvinia and U. gibba combo. I wonder if using Azolla would make a difference, for good or bad, given its nitrogen fixing capacity? Does high N + low light = algae? I might have to give it all a try.

[nepenthes99]

just throw u. gibba in distilled water and it will become a weed.

[Hamata95]

Okay thanks. I just wanted to see what other people did to grow theirs s that I can get an idea.