showing appreciation for S. purpurea ssp. purpurea

[meizwang]

Some people, and I won't mention names, like Barry Meyers-Rice, believe that S. purpurea ssp. purpurea has gone underappreciated in the carnivorous plant world. Well, I agree, so in retaliation, I grew out almost a hundred seedlings so people can really see how beautiful these plants are.

What's really strange is that my original mother plants just never seem to do well under my conditions. However, F-1 seeds from the mother plants take off and grow as fast as a flava. Typically, the seedlings become bigger than the parents, and are a lot more vigorous.

Aside from having amazing color, the genetic variation of S. purpurea ssp. purpurea is another quality that fascinates me. Plants from Huron County, Ontario tend to be small, but form nice clumps and have shapely pitchers. Plants from Wellington County, ON consistently form medium sized plants, and tend to color up easier than the Huron County plants. Plants from the district of Muskoka, Ontario, on the other hand, can form gigantic pitchers. When I first acquired my mother plants from Art Junier, he grew his plants in an unheated greenhouse near Santa Cruz, CA and the pitchers on his plant were enormous.

Anyways, enough rambling-enjoy the pics below!

S. purpurea ssp. purpurea F-1 seedlings, District of Muskoka, Ontario. 4 year old plants:

S. purpurea ssp. purpurea F-1 seedling, District of Muskoka, Ontario. The small pitchers are from last year's growth and are still in good condition. The large pitchers are from this year's growth. This is the biggest individual from the seed batch, 4 years old:

the mother of all those seedlings in the previous photos. I've had this plant for almost 15 years now:

S. purpurea ssp. purpurea 'marl bog form' x district of muskoka, Ontario. Check out the "tubbyness" of the pitcher-that comes from the 'marl bog form' parent:

happy little colony, district of Muskoka, ON:

Another view

the tub:

I crossed two genetically different clones of S. purpurea ssp. purpurea f. heterophyllas and I got 100% green offspring. They are very vigorous, and some individuals are larger than the mother plant after 3 years:

the biggest plant from the f-1 seedling batch, 3 years old:

Edited May 23, 2010 by meizwang

[alexa]

I love purps, and agree that they are under appreciated. Well done with your efforts, a very beautiful display!

Alex.

[LoopyLee]

They look absolutely fantastic meizwang

[frangelo]

Very nice plants.

thank's for sharing.

[Megs]

I agree, S purpurea in all its forms but in particular the northern forms are stunning plants. Some of the ontario plants turn almost black in winter. I always sow all locations I can get my hands on.

Martin

[jimscott]

A beautiful site! Do you ever do trades?

[meizwang]

I agree, S purpurea in all its forms but in particular the northern forms are stunning plants. Some of the ontario plants turn almost black in winter. I always sow all locations I can get my hands on.

Martin

Yeah, I think Purp. purps are a lot like cephalotus-it seems like regardless of which clone (excluding heterophyllas, etc), they all have the potential to get very dark purple-almost black under optimal conditions.