Utricularia Bladderwort Alpine Carnivorous Houseplant Seeds
5 utricularia seeds. The Alpine Bladderworts, also known as Utricularia alpina, are epiphytes that mainly grow in moss, bark, or decaying leaves in cliffs, hillsides, and fog forests across the Caribbean, Central and South America. They can reach up to 40 cm in height and have elliptical leaves that are 5 to 20 cm long. These plants are easy to grow and are usually cultivated for their stunning flowers that can rival even orchids. The short flowering stalk produces up to four large white flowers with yellow plates up to 4 cm in diameter.
Utricularia plants do not have true root systems, but instead form creeping or floating hair-like stems that bear bladder-traps. The traps, which are unique to Utricularia plants, are used to capture microscopic prey. The traps are held on thin, filament-like hairs that guide prey towards the door of the trap. When a bug activates the hairs, the door opens quickly, forcing the victim into the digestion area. The captured prey is broken down by the plant's digestive juices, which absorb the mineral-rich fluid. Utricularia plants are hardy in zone 11 and can be grown in pure live sphagnum or a mixture of live sphagnum moss and perlite. They require bright to diffused light and frequent overhead watering, and should be kept away from fertilizer in the soil.
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Growing Instructions
The seeds for this plant are incredibly small, so it is recommended to sow them directly on the surface of moist soil mix without covering them with any medium. To maintain high humidity, cover the pot with clear plastic and place it in an area with strong, natural light at a temperature of around 25C / 76F.
As the tiny plants begin to sprout, gradually open the top of the pot a little each day to avoid shocking the seedlings with sudden humidity changes. Germination typically occurs within a few weeks, but it may take longer, so patience is key. Additionally, it's important to ensure good air circulation around the plants.