Question
I was curious to know what kinds of methods can be used to keep carnivorous plants watered during vacations that can last a week to three weeks. I have carnivorous plants that both like standing in water (Flytraps, Sundews, Sarrcenia, and Butterworts) and ones that like top watering (Nepenthes, and Cephalotus). Are there any methods that can keep these plants watered continuously if I can't find anyone to babysit them? I heard of things that work for regular houseplants such as automatic waterers and African violet pots which could work for Nepenthes, Cephalotus, and tropical Butterworts, but I don't think these would keep plants that like standing water wet enough.

Answer
Hi Garrett,

Automatic watering for 1 to 3 weeks is a tall order.  I've seen some automatic water machines that can do this, but they don't have real big reservoirs.  Here's a unit I've seen and it's highly rated:  http://www.amazon.com/Claber-8053-4-Programs-Automatic-Watering/dp/B000U5YFR4  However, you would still need to have someone refill it if you were gone 3 weeks.  You can adjust the flow rate on the lines.   The problem is that even with a great gadget like this, I've found over the years that I don't trust them.  I've had timers just stop working, lines clog, lines pop off, etc...  Just this summer I had some tomatoes on Rain Drip lines, and one of the "No clog drippers" stopped working, and I almost lost that plant.

Your best bet is to find someone you trust, hire them if needed, to water your plants.  That way you have a real person you can check in with.

Good Growing!

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