Each plant is unique. Size, shape, fullness, and variegation will vary.
Pinguicula ‘Weser’ | Weser Butterwort
Broad, glossy leaves can transform from fresh green into vivid pink, rose and reddish tones as this Ping responds to stronger usable light. The overlapping leaves form a substantial carnivorous rosette, and their surfaces become covered in sparkling mucilage that catches fungus gnats and other very small insects. ‘Weser’ is a registered Mexican Pinguicula hybrid between Pinguicula moranensis and Pinguicula ehlersiae, combining the larger growth of moranensis with the strong color potential of ehlersiae.
This is a medium-sized Ping with a spreading rosette of broad, fleshy leaves emerging continuously from the center. Mature carnivorous rosettes can reach approximately 3–4 inches across, although size will vary with growing conditions. Its roots remain extremely fine and shallow compared with the foliage above them. A healthy mature plant can have surprisingly little root underneath it, so it does not need a large or deep pot.
For natural light indoors, place it directly in an east-facing window or approximately 1–2 feet from a south-facing window, aiming for approximately 1,000–2,000 foot-candles at the leaves. Foot-candles simply tell you how much light is actually reaching your plant. Strong usable light can bring considerably more pink and red into the foliage while helping the rosette remain compact. Plants grown at the lower end may remain much greener, and color can also change with temperature and growth phase. Watch the newest leaves along with color when evaluating its placement.
Under a grow light, use a full-spectrum 5000–6500K fixture approximately 6–10 inches above the rosette, aiming for 1,000–2,000 foot-candles at the leaves. Center the fixture over the rosette so the entire plant receives usable light. If you’re moving a green plant into considerably stronger light, increase the intensity gradually and watch the new growth as it acclimates.
Water when your plant needs watered. Use distilled water, reverse-osmosis water or rainwater. During active carnivorous growth, wet the plant and upper root zone thoroughly from above in the morning and again in the evening. This is more than a light mist. The foliage and surface of the substrate are actually wetted so moisture reaches the extremely shallow roots while the open substrate beneath them remains aerated. The pot does not need to remain continuously standing in water.
Give those shallow roots a loose, open substrate made from approximately half organic peat moss and half coarse mineral material. The mineral portion can include coarse pumice along with natural aquarium sand or fine gravel. The finished mix should remain visibly gritty and open rather than dense or peat-heavy. Keep the crown at the surface and choose a relatively small, shallow pot appropriate for its root system.
During carnivorous growth, the sparkling droplets covering the foliage are mucilage. These sticky glands allow the plant to capture tiny insects and absorb nutrients from its prey. Fungus gnats and other small insects caught on the leaves can simply remain there while the plant uses them. There is no need to remove the insects or wipe the sticky surface from the foliage.
For additional nutrition, Rooted grows Pings using Schultz Cactus Plus 2-7-7 at one full dropper per ½ gallon of distilled, reverse-osmosis or rainwater. Mix it thoroughly into the water. During active carnivorous growth, this is the diluted water used when wetting the plants, allowing nutrition to reach the glandular foliage as part of their regular watering routine.
‘Weser’ also produces a succulent seasonal rosette. Watch the center of the plant as that transition begins. New leaves become smaller, thicker and more tightly arranged while the broad sticky carnivorous foliage gradually ages away. Mucilage diminishes as the new growth takes over, and the plant can eventually look like a compact little succulent. Its water use changes along with that growth, so reduce moisture as the rosette becomes smaller and less actively carnivorous.
When carnivorous growth returns, you’ll see the change beginning in the center. New leaves start becoming broader again and develop their glandular, sticky surface. Gradually increase moisture as the rosette expands and return to the regular carnivorous-growth feeding routine. The newest leaves make an excellent guide because you can actually watch the plant move from one growth form into the other.
The flowers are another distinctive feature of ‘Weser’. Slender stalks rise well above the rosette carrying pink to pink-violet flowers with darker veining and contrasting pale markings toward the throat. Mature plants can produce multiple flowers, and they can be allowed to bloom normally while the rosette continues growing below.
Success looks like steady new growth from the center appropriate for the plant’s current phase. During carnivorous growth, look for substantial sticky leaves and a rosette continuing to build outward, with green foliage potentially developing beautiful pink and red coloration under stronger light. During succulent growth, look for a healthy compact center continuing to produce smaller fleshy leaves. Follow that newest growth through the seasons and ‘Weser’ will make its changing growth cycle surprisingly easy to read.
