Question
QUESTION: Hi,

 I have a don's flava that I got from you. I had it for two months now. I give it about 6+ hours of sunlight. I keep it in standing water. And I live in Michigan. There is a problem with the don's flava, I have two pitchers on the plant. My first pitcher was about to open but a bug or animal chewed on the top of it. I did not touch the plant for a few days until I noticed that the top was turning brown so I cut the top of. And after that it has been groin great. My second pitcher is about 4 inches tall. And the hood is turning brown. I watched it and it is starting to get worse.

ANSWER: Hi Nathan,

Jacob told me you called the nursery this morning.  Without a photo it's going to be only wild guesses at what is happening here.  If you can submit a photo, that will help me with an accurate diagnosis.

He told me you've been moving your plant into a garage at night.  Don't do that this time of year.  The browning on the lid may very well have something to do with that since the environment is different in the garage (not to mention possible exposure to stuff in there, car exhaust, etc...).  Find a sunny location outdoors, park it, and don't move it around.  Plants hate being moved around since it changes their micro-climate.  It's one of those things that would never happen in nature.

You didn't mention what your water source was, or what the plant is potted in (soil).  Hard water and incorrect media could also make lids brown.

Let me know about those things, and send a photo, and we'll see if we can get you back on track, or assure you that everything is ok.

Good Growing!

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

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picture   QUESTION: I use distilled water, and nothing but! I keep the plant in standing water no higher than half full. I keep the plant in the soil that it arrive in. I did keep it out doors but a coyote or a raccoon ate the top of the first pitcher.

Answer
Hi Nathan,

Most of the problems you're having seem to be because of the physical damage the plant has received.  Just put it back outside (no back and forth to the garage), make sure it's in a sunny location, and give it time.  If you're having problems with animals bothering your plant consider putting it up on some kind of structure such as a table so it's not on the ground.

Good Growing!

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