Question
Hey guys I've been growing sarracenia for a few years now and I just want to ask you this question because of all the business and growers I've researched sarracenia northwest continues to shine through as the best in the industry. I'm just a personal enthusiast and I wondered if you'd be willing to share information with me on what is the absolute best possible soil medium for sarracenia purpurea, sarracenia lycophilla, and sarracenia rubra, I currently am growing all 3 species as well as venus flytraps in Pennsylvania and they're doing quite well, the only information I'm lacking is the soil medium for these plants, and I want to get it strait from the professionals themselves. I'm a huge fan of your company and what you guys are doing. thank you so much! any information at all would be greatly appreciated, anything to boost the heath of my plants to their absolute best!!!

Answer

Wild Venus Flytrap   Hi Micah,

Jacob told me he answered your question via the website.  The only thing I thought I would add to his information is on peat moss.  

Good quality peat moss has been more difficult to obtain in recent days.  It's a really good idea before using any peat moss you buy to soak it in water, drain it, flush it a bit with more water before you use it in a soil media.  Also, only buy peat in bales, never in small bags.  Too many of the brands in small bags are produced by Scott's Miracle-Gro, and contain fertilizer that will harm your plants.  Here's a great discussion on this:  http://sarracenia.proboards.com/thread/3042/warning-turd-sunshine-peatmoss

Once your peat moss is in good shape, Sarracenia are not that picky about soil mixes.  Peat/perlite, peat/sand, mixes of both are great.  You just want to get some drainage in the mix, and not have any nutrients in it.  Venus flytraps like a little better draining mix, but just getting them into bigger pots often does the trick too.  In nature flytraps are in a very sandy soil.  I'll attach a photo of some I saw in Brunswick, Co., NC.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com