Question

Floppy pitchers   I bought an unlabeled rhizome now that its grown I believe it is some form of sarracenia alata (very tall narrow pitchers all green with dark red on the underside of the hood). It is growing very vigorously with many pitchers most of them are smaller and underdeveloped with no coloration. The tall full ones (22-30in) I do get flop over right about when they reach full height.
I didn't pot the plant myself but I believe it is in 1:1 peat to sand. I did add 1:1 peat to pearlite to the top because it didn't seem the soil was high enough. It is growing outdoors in central Florida. It is on my porch so it is shaded for part of the day but gets full sun from about 2-3pm till sunset.

How can I get them to stay upright without tying them all to stakes?

Answer

Sarracenia alata in th   Hi Ryan,

Your plant needs more sun.  The thin whispy pitchers with not much color is a dead giveaway.  Sarracenia should get no less than 6 hours of direct sun.  Our plants here in the nursery get roughly 10 hours on a sunny day.  You want your plant more out in the open, not under and eave.  The general rule I use is that wherever you place a Pitcher plant, you should be able to grow a tomato plant there well.  If you couldn't, then it's not bright enough.

Also, I would switch to a different type of water tray.  Something that isn't clear is going to heat up the water less as to not cook the roots.  A light colored ceramic or plastic dish or tray would work better.

With the pitchers that have fallen over, just remove the ones that are broken.  There really is not way to get them to stay upright when they grow in low light unless you stake them up.  If you get your plant to full sun, the newer pitchers will be much stronger and more colorful.

Good Growing!

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