Question
Hello,
I have some specific questions regarding P. moctezumae. For a bit of background, I bought some from originally from you guys and I now have them in African Violet pots in your preferred mix under twelve hour timed flourescent lights and they appear to be growing fine. (Unfortunately my land is heavily wooded so I don't have much window light)

My first question is general: Do P. Moctezumae have a winter rosette, and if so do they need to go through that phase? (Mine have not grown one)

How often do they flower? When shipped it had two flowers, but have not grown any new ones since.

One of those flowers produced tiny seeds which I have collected but not sown yet. Are these seeds viable, and if so how would I sow them?

If you need any otehr information by chance, just let me know. Thanks again for all the great help!

Jon


Answer
Hi Jon,

P. moctezumae do have winter rosettes, but they seem to behave much like P. moranensis where they don't go into the dormant phase unless much cooler and drier.

Flowering seems a bit unpredictable.  We've observed ours in flower at all times of the year.  If you are not getting flowers, yet the plants are growing well, try fertilization.  This can help in the winter when they are not catching many insects.  Use a good quality orchid fertilizer mixed at 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water.  Spray the leaves about once every two weeks.  The other thing than can be a factor is light intensity.  If your fluorescent lights are fairly high above the plants, move them a bit closer.  I once had a P. moranensis in a bathroom that wouldn't flower, and when I changed to a stronger light, it started blooming reliably.

Since moctezumae is a species, there's a very good chance the seeds are viable.  Just sprinkle them on some media and keep them bright.  You should see germination within 3 weeks.  Give the seeds up to 2 months before you discard them, since germination can be a bit unpredictable.  Spray with a fungicide also to reduce mold issues.


Good Growing!

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