Question
Hi Guy,
my macroceras have started developing their hibernacula and I was wondering how should I over winter them? I know they can rot if kept too wet so I was wondering how you guys do it.
                                           Thanks,
                                                 Mark W.

Answer
Hello Mark,

I am a bit new to Pinguicula as well, however; the general idea is to keep the soil barely moist by watering the plants about half as much as during the growing seasons. Keeping them cool, down to about 40 degrees for temperate plants like P. macroceras, also reduces the chances of mold as does a dose of ultraviolet light for several hours a day.

I would ask this question of Sarracenia Northwest for a definitive answer since I am working on actively growing the Pinguiculas. I am currently only growing the South American species.

Be aware that butterworts tend to let their roots die back a bit during hibernation, so might even float free of the soil if too much water is poured into their pots at once. This has not harmed some of the South American species I have been growing, however; they are not yet ready for their dry season hibernation.

So long as there is no standing water and the soil is never too waterlogged, the plants should be fine.

Christopher