Question
I'm trying to figure out why my Pinguicula primuliflora suddenly died after being seemingly so healthy. My plant was doing very well until it started to flower and over a period of a few weeks it went downhill. The plant did produce three total flowers but each stalk was shorter than the last, but by that time the leaves were already wilting significantly. The leaf wilt progressed while the plant continued to produce more leafs. When I came back from spring break and now it is completely dead. I had it planted in a terrarium but that was before I realized that wasn't a good idea. However that shouldn't necessarily be the main cause of death. I have the terrarium in a south facing window in my dorm, I kept it moist but not to moist. For a time when we add deep cold spell, cold air was sneaking in through the window and the area where the plant was got quite cold. I don't know if this was the cause though. Was this the cause, or was it likely fungal infection, or was letting it flower a mistake like it is with Venus flytraps? All my other plant in the terrarium are doing very well but what are the likely cause of the butterwort's death?

Answer
Hi Garrett,

Actually, the terrarium is the likely issue.  This species is very prone to fungal infections, and the terrarium is a good place for fungal spores to take root.  The way you've described your plant also points to fungus.

Watch our video podcast, Ask the Carnivorous Plant Guys - Episode 4:
http://www.cobraplant.com/ask

This video addresses this very issue.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin