Drosera Petiolaris Complex Hybrids

Petiolaris Complex hybrids

There are 14 species officially classified and documented in the petiolaris complex. Many argue there are more than 14 that need to be documented and specified as its own species. Many of these, of course, are considered hybrids since they are not officially classified. This is only my opinion on the matter, but none-the-less, it makes producing and growing hybrids a very fun part of this hobby. Our breeding program is based on it, and one day we hope to have our own. Besides the fun debate on what is a hybrid and what should be a species, is the fun of combining two species to create a perfect mix of the two parents. The idea of a perfect mix is in the eye of the beholder. The most important factor that really needs to be taken into consideration is if the two parent’s parents care does not contradict, which can make the care of the hybrid very hard. Those hybrids we do not sell.

Overall, our main objective in creating Drosera petiolaris complex hybrids is to combine a perfect combination of the two parents characteristics, while also considering the ease of care inherited by their offspring. The first obvious decision made is what two plants would look awesome together. Imagine the thin needle like petioles of a Drosera aff. paradoxa “swamp form”. It’s long woody stem with aired gaps between each leaf. Now imagine that same stature and growth and then add large kidney shaped traps from a falconeri. That would look awesome, right? To even achieve that look so far seems to be impossible, but we aren’t giving up. The second thing to consider when making a hybrid is the ease of growth for the offspring. Many swamp form paradoxa die immediately after producing seeds, but the falconeri just has a dormant life cycle. Both are easy to care for, but to achieve the look we want, we will have to sacrifice one of those growth cycles.

Another thing to consider when making a hybrid is to try and go with one that happens naturally in their habitat. This is achieved when two species are from the same location of Australia. Their care will almost be identical. We can’t give away our breeding program secret, but making sure two species from the same location is always introduced into our final ideal plant. All of this really sums up to is producing and offering a hybrid that will not I’ve our customers a struggle to grow. That is why most, if not all, our hybrids are easy to grow.

The greatest pleasure in making your own hybrid is how each seed from the same pod can produce different looking plants with different growing conditions needed. All our hybrids are divisions of seed grown plants or pure seed grown plants, so they will do great in any breeding program. We have already did all the work for you in establishing an easy to care for plant with each hybrid having great characteristics to jump start your next idea for a new species. We just hope you give us a huge shout out if you ever achieve that great accomplishment.