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Pinguicula corsica is a temperate species endemic to
Corsica Island, located in the Mediterranean Sea, and it
has never been found elsewhere. Pinguicula corsica is
considered to be one of the old species within the
subgenus Pinguicula. It grows in subalpine and alpine
damp meadows and around little springs and lakes, near
and above the timberline, sometimes descending into cool
ravines, usually from 1000-2400 metres. The highest sites
are covering by snow during 4-7 months. This is the
easiest temperate Pinguicula for beginners.
In Spring, the cycle begins by the opening of the Winter
buds, hibernacula, and the production of the first
carnivorous leaves. The first leaves are followed by the
flowers in Summer. The flower color of Pinguicula corsica
is known to be extremely variable from site to site. They
can be lilac, rose, pale violet and nearly 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.
Pinguicula corsica is a plant with triangular and pale
green leaves. 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 corsica 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. These species
are frost resistant. They require cool Summers with air
temperatures not exceeding 25°C for longer periods.
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. If the temparature in
Winter is below 5°C, they can be kept outside all year
round. Otherwise put them in the refrigerator over Winter.
Habitats may vary from semi-shady to full sun exposition.
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 corsica can be grown in a mix of 2/3
peat moss for 1/3 sand, or a peat moss/clay mix.
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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