Question
Hi,

I wrote to you a while ago regarding whether I should let my Sarracenia, Darlingtonia and Dionaea go dormant during the first few years when grown from seed. You said that it's OK to give them partial sun and skip the dormancy only they'll start growing slower after a while. Is the same true for D filiformis 'Florida Red'? (Which, as I undertand, is the same as D filiformis 'florida giant')

Or should I provide with the dormancy period since the first winter?

Thanks a lot!

Answer
Hi Alonso,

Sundews grow quite a bit faster than the other plants you mentioned, so they tend to form a hibernacula even their first year from seed.  The Florida red form doesn't always go dormant; some of ours in the greenhouse will keep growing, but some do go dormant.  Florida Giant is a different creature, and a very different plant than the red form.  It is a much larger plant, and always goes dormant.  What you will probably find in Mexico is that your winter days are short enough that it may trigger dormancy.  In any case, just let them do what they want.  You're probably going to find some go dormant and other don't.  I wouldn't artificially induce it.  Just let nature take it's course.

Good Growing!

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