- Breeder
- Mike Wang
- First described
- 2025
- Type
- single clone from controlled cross genetic dark candidate
- Cultivar
- 'DARK'
Origin
Mike's controlled cross of two genetically distinct red S. purpurea ssp. venosa parent clones — one of about 8 venosa crosses Mike made. Of all those crosses, this seed batch is the only one that produced an individual showing apparent genetic dark expression rather than environmentally-induced darkness.
Why this matters: the genetic-vs-environmental dark question
Most cephalotus and Sarracenia clones can be pushed dark under LEDs or greenhouse conditions. That test alone doesn't separate clones with intrinsic dark genetics from clones whose darkness is purely environmental. Mike's diagnostic for genetic dark expression:
- Grow outdoors, without artificial suntan light.
- Compare to sibling seedlings grown under identical conditions.
- A genetically dark individual will darken; environmentally-tuned ones won't.
This clone passes the test — it's dark even in shade, and most batch siblings (same conditions) are not.
Mike's inspiration: Jeremiah Harris's near-black venosa, seen on social media, looked genetically dark to Mike's gut feel. This is Mike's bred attempt at the same property.
Standout traits
- Apparently genetically dark — colors up dark even outdoors without artificial-suntan light.
- Differential vs siblings: most other batch siblings under identical conditions DON'T get dark, suggesting a genetic component for this individual specifically.
- Inspiration: Mike has seen Jeremiah Harris's near-black venosa on social media — this Mike-bred individual aimed for that genetic-dark expression.
- Possibly more than one dark individual in the seed batch; one is being singled out for now.
- Mike's pattern: ~8 venosa crosses made, only this batch produced anything resembling a genetically-dark individual.
Cultivation
Diagnostic test for genetic dark expression: grow outdoors without LED supplemental light, see if anything turns dark anyway. Most clones can be made to look dark under LEDs or greenhouse conditions, but those tests don't separate genetic from environmental drivers.
This clone passes the outdoor-darkness test in NorCal — even without full sun, it darkens; sister seedlings under identical conditions don't.
Photos (4)
Naming
Working name: 'DARK' — Mike's working designation for this evaluation-stage candidate. Not a registered cultivar.