Question

Bog plant & wasps   Growing my Sarracenia Fiona here in the UK has been an amazing experience. It stands in a sunny place in my conservatory, which faces west, but gets sunshine most of the day.  I have had it now for nearly a year.  I think that there must be a wasp nest in the orchard next door as I have been plagued by them this year so my sarracenia has been wonderful.I have sat and watched it have about five wasps for breakfast! But now I think my plant has stuffed itself because the wasps are attracted still, but just crawl back out of the pitchers again.  There are about 40 tubes on the plant, and all except about 3 contain wasps and flies. I have re-potted it, and it constantly stands in water, but the pitchers no longer seem 'sweaty'. Is this because it is no longer hungry?
Red

Answer
Hi Red,

Both because of the time of the year it is, and how full your plant is, this is very normal.  There's been research on Nepenthes and their ability to regulate insect capture, so it's very likely Sarracenia have similar mechanisms.  It seem that they can regulate their nectar production, and the slipperiness of the tubes.  We see this in our own plants all the time.  It varies a great deal by species, and varies wildly in hybrids.  Bottom line, nothing to worry about.

Good Growing!

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