Purple Pitchers

[sunbelle]

Justafly,
If you are in Palm Beach County, we do not recommend an inground bog garden for Sarracenia. During the summer when it rains every day..with rain water at 80 degrees F., you are inviting rot, and if one plant gets it, the rot will spread rapidly.
We grow all our Sarrs on benches, up where they get good air movements and water moves through the pots vertically, allowed to drain out the bottom. In summer they could be watered every day, and still be on the dry side---and that's what we do: grow them as dry as they can take it and stay healthy. As a plus, we get huge root systems, which allows our plants to recover to re-pot shock quickly.
One Florida grower came over to visit years ago and upon seeing how we grow Sarracenia, looked at Michelle and commented, "You know, my dear, they ARE bog plants."
They are bog plants in nature, but not in semi-tropical cultivation.
Trays can be a life saver if you are not around to tend the plants, but trays may also contribute to a lot of rotted plants. During the summer, when those trays sit half full of stagnant water in the blazing sun, you are creating a pathogenic breeding pool.

[justaflyinacp]

Thank you Subelle after seeing you website I would really love to come down some time but could you take some pictures of your set ups? How your plants are set up and how you take care of them? Thanks!

[sunbelle]

Everything is in dormancy right now, so there really is not much to see at the moment. Perhaps Michelle will snap some pics of the dormant Sarr benches.
The last two years of snap-shots were posted in this thread, 10 pages long:
pitcherplants.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=sarracenia&action=display&thread=5586&page=1

When they start their spring flowers and pitchers, Michelle will post some new pics on this forum.

[justaflyinacp]

Thanks Subelle, I didn't get that great of a idea of your "benches" but I noticed their not even in water trays! I even saw some nepenthes sitting there! Has everything I've learned been a lie? you don't need "water trays" oh please explain ;D

[Brian Barnes]

Hello Folks,

Thanks Sunbelle and everyone for clarifying and helping Justin out!

We also grow all of our Sarrs on table and benches here in central Fl. Always watering from above and letting them become slightly damp before watering again...

Here in Florida, our cultivation requirements are much different than our "cousins" over in Europe and the UK. They can grow magnificent Sarracenia sitting constantly in water.

Hell, just look at my buddy Aidan's plants! ;D

Here in the tropics, sitting water usually creates to many harmful fungi and bacteria if it sits too long uncirculated...especially in hot weather!

Happy Growing,

Brian.

[justaflyinacp]

Thanks Brian, well I do keep all my plants in standing water, but as you said it's bad if the water doesn't circulate and since I have a endless supply of r/o water I give me plants new tray water EVERYDAY is that ok? Can I keep my plants in water now? ;D Also I' am taking everyone advice and when I'm gone for a long time I add a tiny bit of water to the trays and when I'm home I let them air out.

[sunbelle]

We do not use water trays. We have had heavy rain for the past few days, there is no need to water until the weekend.
As a general rule: This time of year, water as needed. In their dormancy (also is a dry season) this could be watering 1 or 2 times a week. In spring/summer/growth season, they might need water daily, THEN you can keep them in a tray with an inch or so of water if you are not able to water frequently.
If you keep your Sarracenia too wet, and they grow through the time which should be their dormancy, over several seasons they will "grow themselves to death" eventually. They are not getting their rest time.
All of our plants are kept dry during this time of year. That's right.... dry. Not constantly "damp". They are watered as needed. Which means the top of our soil can look dry and the plants are using and actually NEEDING the water when we give it to them. Most of our Sarrs have not pitchered since the fall. They are resting now. Soon they will flower and then start to pitcher in March and April. Holding back the water, in combination with the shorter days seem to signal dormancy in our collection. We sometimes have to force a "dry dormancy" for S. rubra and others that won't stop growing, but this winter has been very cold even our rubra are dormant now.

[justaflyinacp]

So I only water them one or twice a week even my VTF, Sundews, and Pitcher plants?

[sunbelle]

Justin,
Water as needed. If they are soaking wet... no need to water more, right?
If they are getting somewhat dry and using the water, then go ahead and give them a drink.
Soggy is bad, bone/cactus dry is bad.
You are going to need to check your plants every few days and see how fast they consume water. See what works for you in your conditions. We water a few times a week, but not if they are already wet!
In their growth season, increase the water.
VFT need similar conditions to force them to stop growing during our mild winters. Like the Sarrs, VFTs need this dormancy and you should NOT keep them overly wet at this time of year.
Sundews are another story. Some dews are tropical and some are temperate. Some need a winter rest, while other dews grow year round.

[justaflyinacp]

Dear Sunbelle

Well I think I finally understand I' am going to wet the plants and let them sit out of water for tomorrow and see how long until they need another water! I do have another question on the question section though! ;D