Question
Jeff or Jacob,

I have some Darlingtonia growing in an 11 inch bog pot. They are doing well. I water the them multiple times a day due to the weather getting warmer here in central MO. I have a top dressing of live sphagnum moss...I am having some difficulty keeping it alive and thriving. Would it be better to grow my bog pot of Darlingtonia using the "tray method" so the sphagnum moss has more water available to it, or would it be too much water for the Darlingtonia?

I have them growing in a mixture of 1 part LF sphagnum, 1 part milled sphagnum, 1 part peat moss, 1 part small orchid bark, and 1 part pumice...

Thank you,

Derick

Answer
Hi Derick,

You can leave a little water in the tray to keep the media wet and not let the sphagnum dry out.  You might also try seeing if you can get some thin shade cloth (30%) or possibly some wood lathe for partial shade during the hottest weather.  Many home improvement stores have wood lattice that would do the job well.  Darlingtonia can handle some shade.  If you have something that dapples the light it will keep the soil and moss cooler.  Just don't over-do it or the plants will have no color, and possibly get weak.

Good Growing!

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