Question

sarracenia   Hi, i have been growing sarracenia outdoors in the Uk in bogs about 30 square feet each in 50/50 mix peat and perlite for about twenty odd years.
his year one of the beds, in spring suffered some form of die back, where teh phylodia turned brown and dry. I initially diagnosed this as drying winter winds desiccating the plants. the other beds were OK I just thought that the one bed suffered worse than the others.

Now some of the plants have made pitchers which have similarly turned brown. the plants have never dried out, not been fertilised, sprayed, or anything that would cause this sort of dryness. But on the same plant there are (reasonably) healthy leavesI am afraid it is an infection that may spread to the rest of my collection, which would be a disaster.

Picture enclosed, you will see the brown leaves and green pitchers on the same plant.

Any idea what is causing it and if so how I can tackle the problem.

Thanking you in anticipation.
Steve

Answer
Hello Steve,

This is a conundrum. You did not mention whether the plants have ever had their artificial bog changed out periodically for fresh soil (peat can sour and become less acidic over time). How long has it been since you have done that? Is there any potential mineral source or a change in their watering source? Lime, calcium, magnesium and the like can sour peat moss quickly as well.

In addition, there may be underground pests eating away at the rhizomes where you cannot see them.

Were you aware that one of the pitcher plants in your collection is a Darlingtonia (Cobra-Plant) which is not actually of the Sarracenia genus?

In any event, I advise you to check all of the factors I indicated and also to send this question to Sarracenia Northwest as well as they may have a host of other bits of information that may help you find the answer to your problem.