Utricularia subulata

Description

Utricularia subulata is the easiest, most prolific species of Bladderwort. It has brilliant yellow flowers and grows vigorously in all sorts of conditions. Underground, it has hundreds of little carnivorous traps that feed on tiny insects and other microscopic animals. The traps are some of the most complex structures in the plant kingdom! Be warned, this species produces large quantities of extremely small seeds that will spread everywhere.

As a terrestrial bladderwort, it grows on the surface of wet soil and quickly spreads with its thin, lateral stems. Utricularia subulata can flower profusely and produces lots of extremely tiny seeds that can get everywhere. Under certain conditions, it can be “cleistogamous” meaning it produces tiny spherical flowers without petals that rapidly self-pollinate and produce seeds. It can become a weed in collections and is very difficult to entirely remove from some plants, especially other bladderworts. Proceed with caution as it can spread everywhere and its tiny lateral stems are very hard to fully remove from the roots of other plants. It will either regrow from these stems or germinate from seed and cover the surface of any wet, peaty pot. Great for terrariums or multi-species pots to add color.

Plants are potted in 2.5”x2.5”x3.5” pots and will be a clump of leaves that will spread throughout the pot over time. Some have been grown outdoors to prevent unwanted spread of seed and may have random sundews growing with them.

Growing Information

Climate: Adaptable to any mild climate. Temperatures between 50-90F are best. It grows well in low to high humidity as long as the soil is wet.

Light: Part Sun or at least 10W per sq ft LED light.

Water: Distilled or Reverse Osmosis water. Keep the soil constantly wet and do not allow it to dry out. It can tolerate soggy/waterlogged conditions, but prefers just wet soil.

Soil: 50% Peat Moss: 50% Perlite/Sand, but it can establish in any wet soil. Rinse media with distilled or reverse osmosis water to remove excess salts. Never use peat moss with fertilizer.

Feeding: Feed with MaxSea fertilizer diluted to 1/4 tsp per gallon every month.