Question
Hi! I had a large crowded Sarracenia leucophylla plant that I decided to divide into smaller plants. When I started to break off pieces of the rhizome, I made sure each had their own growing point attached to it. However, in doing so I accidentally broke off 2 pieces of rhizome that did not have a growing point on them. It was white inside and had roots attached, but no crown on it. Is this piece worth saving? I left it in the pot for now but will a piece of rhizome actually grow?

Thanks

Answer
Hi Victor,

Yes, it will.  Since a rhizome is an underground stem they tend to have dormant nodes on them just like a regular stem growing plant.  When the growing points are removed a hormone activates them.  Now, here's the catch.  It really varies by species as to how well they start to grow new shoots from those dormant nodes.  Examples:  S. minor is very poor at producing new plants this way.  S. oreophila produces new shoots like a weed.  Sarracenia leucophylla is going to be somewhere in between.  It will take time.

When you pot up the rhizome piece, leave a little of it above soil.  It helps if the nodes can get sunlight.  Once you see new growth points it will take a couple years to have plants big enough to separate.


Good Growing!

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