P. planifolia question

[Drosera36]

I was thinking of growing a P. planifolia plant in a classic terrarium ('bout 5.5 gallons) and I was wondering how big this plant gets. I've heard from 6"-10". So, would this plant be too big for a 5 gallon terrarium? Also, what species of ping would do best in a classic terrarium? (besides P. primuliflora)

-Ben

 

[Bugweed]

Ben, it would depend on how the plant responded to your care. P. planifolia can get up to 8 to 12 inches across in its natural habitat. 8 inches is more common, but 12 is not impossible for them. If they like the growing conditions, it would be possible to get a p. planifolia this big. Lots of sun will bring out the red coloration, and the flowers are worth the wait. 5 gallons may be too small for a large plant, but I think you may get away with it. You have to try to know.

 

[Drosera36]

Ok, that helps a ton. I guess I'll just try putting one in, and if it's too big, I'll just uproot it and grow it outside.

-Ben

 

[The Griffin]

Don't they like it more wet than any other ping?

Cheers,

Joe

 

[Bugweed]

Joe, sometimes I submerge the plant. Seems to love it. It is usually then, at its wettest, it gets very large.

 

[Drosera36]

Hmm, ok. Now I wanna try to keep my tank incredibly wet. Though, I think only P. primuliflora would like the tank as wet as P. planifolia would like it.

-Ben

 

[Bugweed]

Wrong, Ben! There is a depression just north of Sumatra, Florida that is very wet. In this depression is a solid carpet of p. planifolia, red as beets, and p. ionantha. They are growing side by side in the very same conditions. The plants are 8 and 10 inches across, and grow in this depression into the water that flows through it. As much as 4 and 6 inches deep! An occasional 12 inch specimen is found, but 8 and 10 are the usual sizes. The plants growing submerged are almost all very large. They love the wet, and the moving water. A healthy bog is healthy because of the water that runs through it, pulling good ole oxygen into the soil and through it. This really makes for a healthy bog, and very healthy and happy plants.

 

[Drosera36]

Cept P. ionantha also gets huge...Anyways, I was gonna order plants from Lee's, so I'm not sure what to get.

-Ben

 

[The Griffin]

Randy Zerr has a nice site. I can't find them casually scanning, but there used to be some great pics of submerged P. planifolia. Check out the pics anyway, especially the field trip photos!
I have not checked on him in a while-I should.

Cheers,

Joe

http://www.geocities.com/pitcherplants/

 

[Drosera36]

That's a really awesome site! Really cool pics. I found the pic of the submerged P. planifolia. It's in one of the fieldtrip sections. So, I guess I'll just go with two P. lutea, since they're smaller. Maybe when I have more time and experience (plus space!) I'll get a P. planfolia. So, that goes with U. subulata and D. capillaris. All's good. Unless, of course, anyone has P. caerulea?

-Ben