Notes on
Byblis rorida &
Byblis filifolia.
Seed was received from
Allen Lowrie on the 24th January 2007. They were
GA3 treated for 24 hours and
the seed planted on the 26th. Five young plantlets
were visible after only eight days.
Growth was very rapid and by February 16th I was surprised to see two small buds on one of the
rorida plants which at the time had a 95mm. leaf span and stem height of 27mm.
On the 21st I noticed that B. flifolia which had been planted on
the same day also had a single bud. B fIlifolia was a little smaller
than rorida.
On the 23rd another bud showing on B. filifolia. The buds
just seem to appear overnight. Another two B. rorida have buds, two on one plant, one on the other. These plants are approximately 50% larger than the first to bud.
The first B.
rorida had a third bud which was removed for the health of the
plant. The first bud is now showing color.
February 26th - All B. rorida now in bud these plants, one month from planting, have on average a leaf span of 12 cm and a stem (not leaf) height of 7cm.
February 28th - B. rorida flower opened and so far has lasted two days.
March 1st - B. filifolia has its first bloom, the plants have all grown very rapidly and are now
between 12 & 15cm stem height. I have attempted to pollenate both species and will have
to wait for results.
B. filifolia flower lasted only one day while
rorida still going at four days. At two months from seed all B. rorida and filifolia all carry a number of blooms.
B. rorida flowers have lasted about eight days even when pollenated, which make them all the more desirable as a show plant. I
collected the first viable seed from rorida on March 23rd, less than two
months after planting the seeds which is super fast for any plant. I
don't know how long the plants will live but they are well worth
growing even for a few months.
Bob Browning, Townsville.