Yet, during an April visit to Little Prince of Oregon, I was given several Pinguicula (butterworts) and a few Heliamphora. These are not plants I've been able to keep alive in the past. To add to my worry, the butterworts came unpotted and I was on day one of a 4-day garden visiting marathon and didn't have the time to do more than just lay them this tray of chunky mix, water them, leave them and hope for the best.
The Heliamphora were potted, but I know these plants are finicky and I wasn't able to do anything special to care for them either. At least not right away...
...or actually for two months. Ya, it took me eight weeks to get around to planting both of these carnivorous treasures. But they were all still alive, so there's that.
I knew I wanted to put some of the Pinguicula in this hanging pot. A popular way to grow them is tucked into small holes in a porous rock... so I found a good chunk, tried it out in the pot, and there it stayed for about a month until I got around to doing the planting.
Which I finally did at the end of May. I waited a few weeks to write about the project because I wanted to see how they performed, the good news is they still look great. The bad news is I didn't manage to take any process photos...
I have three of the pots, there are Pyrrosia lingua in the other two.
I really love how this planting turned out.
I filled the spaces around the rock with a mix of peat moss and black pumice—both of which I had on hand. This whole thing turned out to be a "buy nothing" project, using materials I already had.
Yes, there are already small flying insects stuck on the leaves.
After reading that the roots of Heliamphora like to stay cool I worked one of the plants into this hand cast stone pot, figuring its extremely thick walls would do just that.
It's tucked into the carnivorous corner (which includes a couple Aeoniums and potted Pseudopanax ferox and P. crassifolius).
After completing the hanging Pinguicula pot I still had a few plants left, so I decided to work them, and the remaining Heliamphora, (as well as a couple Nepenthes) into a metal container. Here's what I pulled together for the project, although I didn't end up using the small metal round on the right, because I was concerned it might rust and I didn't know how these sensitive plants would react to that.
Again, no process shots, but here's the finished project...
As before the rock was mixed with a little peat and sphagnum moss. There's a small hole in the bottom of the metal cap, so it's not completely water-tight.
When I finished the planting and went to take pictures the sun was hitting the patio table just right for nice photos. I had a hard time knowing when to quit. I got a little carried away...
Eventually I might move the container back to the table, but for now it's parked on a bench. Wish me luck! I still feel like I'm living on borrowed time with these, as though they're going to realize I have no idea what I'm doing.
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I think waiting really paid off, these are fantastic! Carnivorous corner made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteThanks! As I was writing this post I realized I'd been calling that part of the garden the "carnivorous corner" in my head, but not actually written it down. It was time.
DeleteWishing you luck! You've done your best. And they've been memorialized in that fabulous light. I hope they choose life, you've given them every reason to do so.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed!
DeleteWow, your containers for these plants are so lovely! I hope the plants will prosper there. I'm not familiar with the genus Heliamphora, but understand that they are South American pitcher plants--never seen them in real life. The little Nepethe looks great in there too!
ReplyDeleteI first saw Heliamphora growing in a small greenhouse climactically controlled for their happiness. These poor plants aren't getting that!
DeleteI know absolutely nothing about either species but it looks to me that you're treating both well. Fingers crossed that success is in the cards!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris, I'll take it!
DeleteLove those hanging pots with the heavy metal hangers!!! All looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteHa! I love your description as those particular metal hangers are favorites because to my eye they kind of disappear, and aren't heavy at all (unlike some others I've seen). Perhaps it was the way I photographed them that made them appear heavy.
DeleteVery, very nice. You seem like an expert to me. Maybe they simply needed a little rest before planting. They all look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThanks Beth, I consulted a few experts, but I am definitely not one.
DeleteOh, goodness, I admire your determination. If those rascals turn their nose at your dedication and effort, they are not worthy!
ReplyDeleteI could live in photo 4 with the hanging pots... it's such a gorgeous photo with a mosts stunning background of mondo grass and fern (Blechnum?).
Where does one find a good chunk of porous rock? Or that sweet cast stone pot? The metal "curl" is very cool too. I love the bench display: miniature gardening at its best!
Chavli
Yes! Blechnum chilense, good eye! The chunk of rock came from Tamara (Chickadee Gardens), she gave me a few pieces--another one of which is in the terracotta saucer on the bench. The pot is the work of Claire at https://apotspot.com/. The metal curl came from a great local shop, ReClaim It. They glean things from the dump and sell them!
DeleteI really like the way the last one turned out with the contrast between the orangy Heliamphora, the lime green Pinguicula in the metalic pot with the piece of wood. Stunning!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Delete