> Still on Utrics I find this differentiation between
> terrestrial and aquatic a bit misleading. My experiences
> with some of the so called terrestrial species from Southern
> Australia (e.g. U.violacea) lead me to conclude that some
> are grown best as affixed aquatics (in cultivation).
> Presumably during the wetter seasons of the year some of
> these plants would also be submerged in their natural
> environment. Any way what are other peoples experience with
> this?
There is actually a bit of delicate nomenclature associated with classifying
the growing habits of _Utricularia_. If you divided species solely into
the categories ``terrestrial'' and ``aquatic'' you will have trouble. Many
_Utricularia_ are ``affixed aquatics'', which means they grow in soil but
underwater. Many poke out of the water (emergents).
But you know all this. My experience is that it is best to try to
grow these plants several ways until you find the method most satisfactory
to you. Many of the same comments can be made regarding _Pinguicula_ in the
USA. Many seem to be very happy as emergents. Strangely, my _P.planifolia_
flowers every year but only produces pollen if the rosette is submerged
and the flowers emergent. Weird weird weird. I grow most of my plants as
terrestrials, although they often grow out of the pot bottoms and happily
live an aquatic lifestyle. They often produce luxurious growth with larger
bladders this way. Notable species in this respect are _U.longifolia,
prehensilis, praelonga, tricolor, dichotoma_.
Lloyd, if your friend Paul is a devoted Utric-ophile, send him my
address. I'm always interested in new contacts. I grow very few of the
star species you noted, but have a reasonably nice collection.
B
Barry Meyers-Rice
Steward Observatory
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721 USA