Question

Ping 1  

Ping 2   Species: Pinguicula primuliflora
Issue: Leaves browning from tips, no matter what kind of light I subject the plant to.
Lighting: Varies - tried moderate light, slightly brighter light, moved inside to windowsill (South facing)
Region: North Georgia mountains

When I got the first plant, I put it with my other pings where they get the morning sun on a screened-in back porch.  All seemed well, but I noticed that the summer heat started affecting all pings, so I moved them to an area where the sun was less direct.  They all liked this, but my primuliflora kept showing signs of distress.  The leaves have been browning from the tips, and I've tried moving it to different lighting conditions (natural - I don't have a terrarium), and the results have been the same.  

I received a second primuliflora via the plant of the month club.  It looks gorgeous, but now it's starting to do the same thing.  I moved them both to a partly sunny window-sill (a large bush filters the light coming in).  This seemed to be the worst thing ever, as now the first primuliflora looks wilted, and the second one will probably follow.  (Also, each time I moved the plants, I do give it time...usually weeks, unless I see immediate distress.)

I moved them to my back porch for the purposes of taking the attached pictures, but it looks like I'll need to keep them outside again.  But what am I doing wrong with these plants?!  I treat them like the other pings I have...same watering (water from the top, let the soil absorb all the water before re-watering)....same lighting (partly sunny, filtered light, out of direct light when the climate turns too hot/humid).

I have a ton of plants from you guys, all thriving nicely, but this species just doesn't seem to like me!  Help!

Answer
This species tends to be a bit more sensitive to environmental changes than other types. From your photos, it seems that it's just the older leaves that are turning brown.  This is normal as they are often the first ones to go.   The main thing I look at is the new growth and the newer leaves.  They seem to be looking good without any signs of distress.  The plants are likely shutting down the much older leaves to preserve the new growth.  

With your older plant, clip off the brown leaves.  This will prevent fungus and mold, something butterworts are prone to.  For now, this is the most you could do.  You simply have to wait it out and let the plant produce a new set of leaves.  Yes, it's distressing to see this.  This is something we constantly have to deal with at our nursery.

If you need further assistance, write back as a follow-up.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin