Submerging P. planifolia in cultivation

[Brian Barnes]

Hello! Do any of you guys submerge your P. planifolia underwater in winter? I've noted that this phenomenon occurs during winter in their natural habitat, therefore i've been doing so for about three years now...Brian in Florida.

[mannyherrera]

Hi Brian. I've never done this. I grow some very wet and some just plain moist. They do well either way. I'm wary of keeping plants too wet in cultivation for an extended period. Rot is a looming problem. especially down here in S.Florida.

[BarryRice]

Hey Brian,

Tell us about your technique. Do you do anything to keep the water oxygenated or otherwise avoid putrefaction?

Barry

[Brian Barnes]

Hi! Actually, i just make sure the water is clear and clean at all times, which in the wild during submertion, the water is very clean, crystal-clear and algae-free because of the colder temps. Even in early spring, i've seen them hugging the bottoms of clear, shallow pools 4 or 5 inches deep like HUGE purplish- red starfish, with flower spikes opened above the water, accompanied by U. subulata. P. ionantha is subjected to this same treatment as well. This phenomenon occurs in intervals during Winter and since there is a lower evaporative rate at this time, may linger for over a month. Bruce Bednar and myself have witnessed this occurence in the Fl. Panhandle years ago... I begin submerging mine in October with the onset of cooler temps. The nasty T-word {tapwater} is definitely not allowed in any fashion. I do this a month at a time, gently draining the water if need be after a month or so to allow the soil to remain wet but not waterlogged. This works best if done completely outdoors and i use a high sand {3/4 sand, 1/4 peat}growing mix as well. Treatment completely ends when higher humidity and temps return in Spring. I've been growing P. planifolia and P. ionantha this way for years. I've experienced a higher prolific rate of flowering as well in Spring. Right now, i'm experimenting with what i believe is a natural occuring hybrid cross between the two species. Spring flowering should tell the tale...Brian

[BarryRice]

Interesting.

Oh, by the way, if you're thinking about hybridization between those two, you should check out also the nature of the hairs on the flower palate. I believe that Godfrey and Wooten might have some drawings on this...

Cheers

Barry

[mannyherrera]

P.planifolia, ionantha, and primuliflora all grow in very wet to submerged conditions in the wild. They will tolerate it in cultivation, but not for long. Perhaps your colder temps have something to do with your success as opposed to my milder winters.

[Michael Catalani]

Here are a couple of photos of submerged P.planifolias in the wild. You can see how clear the water is. Certain other plants that grow with it probably aid in keeping the water clear. This habitat was a bit sandier, but I've also seen them growing in the S. flava muck soil, and the environment probably has to work overtime in order to keep standing water clear in those areas.




Here is the same photo for reference with two of the P. planifolias circled in red, and a flower circled in green.

[Brian Barnes]

Ahhh... Nice pics Mike, thanks for sharing those!...they look like giant, hungry starfish clinging to the bottom! And nice sized as well...Yes Manny, i believe the dividing line between us is the town of Frostproof, which as the name implies, is as far as the colder weather will go in Winter (supposedly}. Here in N. Central Fl., I get the tail end of cold fronts as they sweep down. Just enough to cut back the humidity to 50 or 60% at times and have actual "cold spells" before they peter out. I'll be going into the field to document P.pumila this weekend and submit some photos and articles to the board. How's P. pumila var. bushwelli doing down your way, Manny?

[Brian Barnes]

Thanks Barry, will do! I do know that the P. ionantha flower has more of an extended "beard" than P. planifolia. In your opinion, is natural cross pollination possible in the wild due to these differences?

[BarryRice]

drosera5150 said:

Thanks Barry, will do! I do know that the P. ionantha flower has more of an extended "beard" than P. planifolia. In your opinion, is natural cross pollination possible in the wild due to these differences?

My opinion ain't worth doodoo, since I've never worked with trying to cross pollinate them.

Still, you asked....so I'd admit that I'd be very surprised if cross pollination were possible. I presume growers have been trying this from time to time for decades. They have different chromosome counts (2n=22 vs. 32).

Even so, wonders never cease....

A good paper to check out is Godfrey and Stripling, American Midland Naturalist, 1961, 66: 395-409.

[Brian Barnes]

Thanks Barry, will do...

[mannyherrera]

Hi Brian...pumila is an interesting species. It grows all the way down to Big Pine Key. I haven't been out in the Everglades or the Big Cypress Preserve (where the bushwellis are). We've been getting a lot of rain so I assume they are flooded now and have probably died back. If you come down this far south I'd gladly take you out to some sites.

[Brian Barnes]

Thanks Manny! I may be heading that way in Spring to photograph some CP and Fl. native orchids in the Fahkahatchee Strand... We've been getting way too much rain here as well. The only "happy" P. pumila will be the ones perched up on the higher sandy ridges out of the muck...Oh by the way, how's Bruce and Clyde doing? I haven't seen them in a while...Let's all get together in Spring and do some "Bog Stomping" LOL!

[mannyherrera]

Clyde was doing well last time I spoke to him. he wasn't sure if he was going to participate in Fairchild's Ramble this year. A group of us has helped him represent the ICPS for many years. I haven't spoken to Bruce in a while. I see him sporadically. Let me know when you're thinking of coming down and I'll try to round up the troops.

[Brian Barnes]

Indeed i shall! Looking forward to it.