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Pinguicula balcanica is a temperate Pinguicula and can be
found in moutains chains of Southeastern Europe, in
Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria. Pinguicula balcanica
grows in subalpine and alpine wet place, at altitudes
between 900 to 2400 meters, on granite or limestone
ground.
In Spring, the cycle begins by the opening of the Winter
buds and the production of the first carnivorous leaves.
The first leaves are followed by the flowers in Summer.
The corolla is 15-20 mm long, bluish lilac, with white
throat. The flower can also be white. New carnivorous
leaves are produced during all the season. Near Autumn,
or earlier, if your conditions are not optimal, the next
hibernacula is revealed in the centre of the rosette.
Then leaf production stops and the old leaves decay
slowly. The plant, reduced now to a small hibernacula, is
ready for Winter and for the next cycle. It produces
numerous gemmae around the Winter hibernacula that can be
sown.
The Summer leaves are elliptic-oblong, to 50 cm long and
can take red color in full sun; the Winter leaves are
broadly ovate, 20-30 mm. The leaves of Pinguicula are in
basal rosettes and are covered with sticky, mucilage-secreting
and digestive hairs. The margins roll inward in response
to contact of the hairs by potential prey organisms.
Nitrogenous and other nutrients released by the digested
prey supplement the plant's requirements. These
modifications help such plant species compete in nutrient-deficient
habitats.
Pinguicula balcanica is from the temperate climates and
require a dormancy period. During dormancy the plant die
back to a resting bud known as a hibernacula. Temperate
Butterworts not only reproduce by seed, but also by
gemmae. These gemmae, brood bodies, form around the base
of the hibernacula. They look like miniature resting buds.
They break of from the hibernacula very easily and are
scattered around, assisting on the further propagation of
the species.
Hardiness zone 8 (-10°C/15°F) in Winter. Pinguicula
balcanica is native to areas with cold, distinct Winters,
the plant needs cold Winter temperatures to survive.
Habitats may vary from semi-shady to full sun exposition.
Optimal Summer growing conditions are good air humidity,
cool temperature and UV lights. If the Summer growing
conditions are not optimal, the plants will form very
weak hibernacula which easily rot. It often grows in
basic chalky soils near springs, brook banks and moist to
wet cliffs. Sometimes it also grows in acidic marshy
ground. During growth period, procure a day temperature
of about 25°C and night temperatures around 20°C.
During resting period days and nights should be over
freezing point. Keep above 7°C in Winter.
Best grown outdoors as a container or potted plant.
Because of their specific soil requirement, avoid
planting them in the ground. Excellent for the deck or
patio. Pinguicula Balcanica can be grown in a mixture of
one part peat moss, one part perlite, and one part sand.
Use rain water poured on the top of the pot taking care
not to wet the rosette. When this Pinguicula begins to
produce its non-carnivorous leaves, from October to April,
it is important to let the media drying completely but
with an atmospheric humidity of about 80%. You can do
that by living a saucer full of water under the pot,
evaporation will do the rest. Inversely, when the plant
begins to produce in early Spring its carnivorous leaves,
you have to progressively start watering again the pot.
Let the media drying slightly between two watering.
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