Question
QUESTION: Jeff,

I have a few R. gorgonias plants that I started from seed several months ago. I happen to notice something strange this morning when I was in my greenhouse checking on my plants. One of my gorgonias plants is starting to develop flowers. They are not even 1 year old yet. Can you help me explain why my R. gorgonias would be flowering at such an early age? I have them in a greenhouse and they are not under any grow lights. Since the days are much shorter in winter, could the decreased photo period trigger flowering? Perhaps the plant is "confused" with its natural vernal cycles...I'm not sure what to think. Will my plant die if I don't remove the flower?

Any insight and feedback that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,

Derick

ANSWER: Hi Derick,

We don't have a vast amount of experience with Roridula, but they seem to behave much like Dewy Pines.  This flowering when very young sometimes happens due to some kind of stress; temperatures, radical changes in environment, water stress, and sometimes just reasons we don't know.  Drosophyllum often does exactly the same thing.

Just clip the flower off.  They can kill a baby plant.  Once it gets larger it will be fine to let it bloom.  These plants have a very pretty flower.

How are you watering this plant?

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Jeff,

Thank you for the reply back...I sincerely appreciate your feedback. I went ahead and clipped the flower off. I really hated to do that as you mentioned before that the flowers are very pretty. I thought it was best thought for the greater good of my R. gorgonias plant.

I top-water all my R. gorgonias, I keep the soil moist, and the current soil mixture that I use for them is 5 parts peat moss, 2 parts perlite, and 1 part charcoal. Do you think since winter is fast approaching that I should try a different method of watering my plants?

Many thanks and Happy Holidays to you and Jacob!

Derick

Answer
Hi Derick,

Treat them much like Drosophyllum.  Damp, but not wet soil.  Your top-watering is fine.  Just don't allow the pot to sit in water for long periods.  A little in a tray is fine, but let it be completely used up before adding more.  If the soil surface feels a bit dry, time to water.

We keep ours in a pretty sandy mix.  Like Drosophyllum, it's 1 part peat, to 1 perlite, 1 pumice, 1 sand.  I don't recommend transplanting, however, since this plant does not transplant well.

Happy Holidays to you and your family as well.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com