Utricularia Dichotoma Seeds (Bladderworts Seeds)

Utricularia dichotoma is a small or usually medium sized perennial, growing terrestrial in Australia, sometime floating. Once established, it may grow in fertile and permanently submerged sites. This small carnivorous herb of wet areas, is only likely to be seen in nature when in flower. The onset of a dry sunny period was typically followed by flowering. Purple flowers, yellow and white at the throat, with broad lower lips, about 1 -2 cm broad, on long slender scapes. This Australian species forms very tall flower spikes to 10 inches. The bladder-trap is unique to the Utricularia, giving them their nickname of Bladderwort. Utricularia has no true root system. They form creeping or floating, thin, hair-like stems that extended away from the main body of the plant. The bladder-traps are held on these stems. The traps are underground and are too small to hand feed. So, it has to catch it's own microscopic prey. Thin, filament-like hairs protrude from the trap door. These serve as guides to send the prey toward the door. These plants use low pressure inside the chamber vs. high pressure outside. When a bug activates the hairs, the door opens quickly, forcing the victim into the low-pressure digestion area. The water is pumped out and the mulcilage seal is re-established. The plant now secrets digestive juices to break down the captured prey and absorb the mineral rich fluid. Trapping usually occurs within 1/50 of a second. It is believed that glands found around the closed entry may also secrete an attractant that may aid in luring prey. Hardiness zone 11, (4øC/40øF) in Winter. They are often found in acid bogs, seepages and lake margins growing in anything from pure sand to peat moss or sloppy muck. Grow this plant in a standard Utricularia mix which consist of equal parts peat moss and sand. Like other carnivorous plants, they do require pure water and can be killed by fertilizer in the soil. Utricularia dichotoma, favour sunny locations in permanently wet open ground that is poor in nutrients. Likes hight humidity 60% and more. It likes periodic floodings over the soil surface. In Winter the water is raised to just cover the compost surface. Easy growing kept just frost-free. Subtropical so likes slightly warmer Winter temperature.