FlyTrapCare Forums

Hey all,

I propagated a Pinguicula Gigantea a while ago and it's been growing really well! This is my first time growing one, so I'm not sure what they look like when they're in the smaller phase.

For some reason, mine is starting to grow really tall and is tipping over. Is this normal for a young plant? Does it eventually just get wider and I have to resituate it when the old leaves die off at the bottom?

This has happened to me with other pings. I believe it is in need of more light.

Etiolation maybe?

thepitchergrower wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 9:59 pm Etiolation maybe?

That's what I think. Also, what soil is that potted in? It looks a bit to organic and peaty. I think it should be ok for now, but when you repot it, give if either more perlite or sand in the mix. You can also use no peat and just perlite and sand.

Sundews69 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:01 pm
Also, what soil is that potted in? It looks a bit to organic and peaty. I think it should be ok for now, but when you repot it, give if either more perlite or sand in the mix. You can also use no peat and just perlite and sand.

From what I can see (or think I can see), the mix has a decent amount of mineral in it.

thepitchergrower wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:03 pm

Sundews69 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:01 pm
Also, what soil is that potted in? It looks a bit to organic and peaty. I think it should be ok for now, but when you repot it, give if either more perlite or sand in the mix. You can also use no peat and just perlite and sand.

From what I can see (or think I can see), the mix has a decent amount of mineral in it.

I don't really see a lot of drainage material in there. Maybe I'm just half blind, but I'm not sure. We'll see what @Nikson says.

Sundews69 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:06 pm

thepitchergrower wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:03 pm

Sundews69 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:01 pm
Also, what soil is that potted in? It looks a bit to organic and peaty. I think it should be ok for now, but when you repot it, give if either more perlite or sand in the mix. You can also use no peat and just perlite and sand.

From what I can see (or think I can see), the mix has a decent amount of mineral in it.

I don't really see a lot of drainage material in there. Maybe I'm just half blind, but I'm not sure. We'll see what @Nikson says.

And maybe it is just the color of the peat.

The medium is one part peat, one part vermiculite, one part sand, one part perlite! My other pings have been growing like weeds in that mix.

I have it sitting in a south facing window so it gets some sun, but should I put it under a growlight instead? I've got plenty of growlights downstairs where my shelf is.

Nikson wrote: ↑Sun Jun 05, 2022 10:14 pm The medium is one part peat, one part vermiculite, one part sand, one part perlite! My other pings have been growing like weeds in that mix.

I have it sitting in a south facing window so it gets some sun, but should I put it under a growlight instead? I've got plenty of growlights downstairs where my shelf is.

Ok, that mix is fine. Ho many hours of direct sun does that window get?

I honesty don't know, but it's south facing so it gets sunlight all day? But I think only a few hours of the day does it get like, DIRECT sunlight coming through and hitting the plant, it mostly looks like indirect sunlight throughout the day.

Based on what you guys are saying, it sounds like it just isn't getting enough light, so I moved it under my growlights with my other plants.

It's still next to a south facing window, but the lights are on a 12 hour timer, so I think that should fix any problems with Etiolation.

Will the plant eventually "fix" itself and rebalance itself? Or will I need to wait for it to grow like new roots and rebalance it?

I'm not sure if it'll fix itself. It think putting it under lights is the best idea for now.

^^^ agree.

it is clearly etiolation due to lack of light

if you have the possibility, take it outside in the shade, partial shade or morning sun

Thanks for the help guys, I'll keep you up to date once I have it under the growlights for a while. I guess it eventually will grow aerial roots or something and I can start repotting it or something?

I would consider taking it outside but my deck basically is blasted by the sun nonstop all day and its even destroyed by sundews, so I think I'll just keep it inside for now lol.

Update:
Looks like my pinguicula has decided to take matters into its own hands and is now growing a second grow point.....amazing how these plants grow!