Origin
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor is a small, perennial aquatic carnivorous plant that belongs to the bladderwort family (Lentibulariaceae). It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria.
Common names
The plant is commonly known as the twisted bladderwort or spiral-leaved bladderwort in English, and "fono-nmedo" in Ewe, a language spoken in West Africa.
Uses
Utricularia spiralis var. tortilis has not been extensively studied for its medicinal or nutritional properties, but some indigenous groups in sub-Saharan Africa are known to use other species from the Utricularia genus as herbal remedies for various ailments. The plant is primarily cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its attractive, twisted foliage and delicate purplish-blue flowers.
General appearance
The twisted bladderwort is a small, upright plant that grows up to 10 cm in height. Its leaves are the most distinctive feature of the plant, measuring 1-4 cm in length and tightly spiraling around the stem. They are green to red in color and have a glossy sheen. The delicate flowers appear on long stalks and have purplish-blue petals with yellow markings in the center. The plant's root system consists of small, fibrous roots along with specialized suction traps, known as "bladders," that allow the plant to capture small aquatic invertebrates for nutrition.
Light Requirements
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor is a plant that requires plenty of bright and direct sunlight. It is recommended to provide the plant with a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day to promote healthy growth.
Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature range for Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor is between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. The plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius and as high as 35 degrees Celsius, but extreme temperature fluctuations can affect plant growth.
Soil Requirements
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor requires moist, well-drained soil with good aeration. A recommended mix for this plant is 50% peat moss and 50% perlite or sand. The soil pH should be slightly acidic, between 5.5 to 6.5.
Cultivation
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor is a carnivorous plant that requires special growing conditions. It is a tropical plant that prefers warm, humid environments and requires a lot of light. It can be grown in a terrarium or placed in a sunny windowsill.
The plant needs a high level of humidity, so it is essential to keep the soil moist at all times. Organic matter like sphagnum moss or peat moss can be used as a growing medium.
The plant also needs good ventilation, so make sure it is not overcrowded by other plants.
Watering Needs
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor requires a constant supply of water. Avoid overwatering, but ensure that the soil is always moist. Use distilled or rainwater as tap water may contain minerals that can harm the plant.
Water the plant from the bottom by placing it in a tray filled with water. The plant will take up water through its roots. Ensure that the water level is not too high, or it can rot the plant.
Keeping the soil moist and providing high humidity is vital to the survival of this plant.
Fertilization
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor is a carnivorous plant that does not require fertilizers. It gets its nutrients by trapping and digesting small insects and other organisms. Feeding the plant with liquid fertilizers can be detrimental to its growth and development.
Providing a suitable growing medium like sphagnum moss or peat moss is enough to support the plant's growth and ensure it gets the necessary nutrients.
Pruning
Pruning is not required for Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor. The plant grows small and does not require any trimming or shaping.
If any dead plant material like leaves or flowers appear, carefully remove them to prevent fungal infections or other problems.
Propagation of Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor, commonly known as twisted or tortuous bladderwort, is a carnivorous plant endemic to Africa. It is a striking plant with elongated coiled stems that form a tangled mass, providing an exciting addition to any collection of carnivorous plants. Although it's found growing in the wild, it's easy to cultivate in gardens and indoor settings. Propagation can be done through three basic methods: vegetative, seed, and tissue culture propagation.
Vegetative Propagation
One of the easiest methods of propagating Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis is by vegetative propagation. This method is done through separating the plant's runners or offsets from the parent plant and re-potting them. The separation process may cause some stress to the plant, so it's essential to keep the plant's root ball intact while removing the offsets. The new plant should be re-potted immediately in a suitable potting mix with a preferable soil aeration prepared mixture.
Seed Propagation
Seed propagation is another method of propagating Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis. While it's an exciting method, it can also be somewhat tricky due to the small size of the seeds and their low germination rate. Seeds are produced after flowering, and it's significant to collect them while still fresh and sow them immediately. A moist seed tray filled with a 1:1 mixture of peat moss and perlite creates the perfect environment for germination. The seeds should be watered from time to time to make sure the environment is moist, but it is crucial to avoid over-watering the seeds as it may lead to fungal diseases and seed rot.
Tissue Culture Propagation
Tissue culture propagation of Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis is, without a doubt, the most advanced of all the propagation methods. Tissue culture ensures a high level of genetic predictability and can produce large numbers of plants without any loss of genetic variation. The method involves taking tissue cuttings from the plant, sterilizing them, and placing them in a nutrient-rich medium for growth. Tissue culture propagation requires a sterile environment to avoid contamination, and the process is definitely for experts and professionals.
Disease Management
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor may occasionally suffer from fungal or bacterial infections that can lead to diseases such as leaf spot, root rot, and wilt. Therefore, it is crucial to practice good cultural practices to prevent disease development. Cultural practices that can help avoid disease development include:
- Providing adequate spacing between plants to allow for good air circulation and reduce humidity
- Watering at the base of the plant to prevent leaves from staying wet, as they are prone to fungal and bacterial infections
- Keeping the garden bed free from all plant debris as it can harbor disease-causing organisms
In case of disease outbreak, the first affirmative action is to prune the infected parts of the plant and dispose of them appropriately. In severe cases, use of fungicides or pesticides might become necessary. However, it's always best to select products that are labeled to treat the disease affecting the plant and follow instructions to avoid plant toxicity.
Pest Management
Utricularia spiralis Sm. var. tortilis (Welw. ex Oliv.) P.Taylor is not a common host of insect pests. However, spider mites and aphids can sometimes feed on this plant. The plant's sparse foliage makes it an unattractive host to most insects, and it can outgrow any damage caused by pests.
The best way to manage pests organically is through manual control methods, such as hand-picking the pests from leaves or blasting them with water. Biological controls such as beneficial insects or fungus concentration can be useful for minimizing pest density.
If pest pressure continues to remain high, which can sometimes lead to additional damage, use of insecticide soap and oil sprays is the best option. It is important, especially with these products, to read the instructions carefully before applying it to the plant.
