Question

Purple Pitcher   Hi Jeff/Jacob

Can you tell me what is wrong with this Purple Pitcher's pitchers? It is growing in a bog of peat, perlite, sand, 18 to 24" deep. It gets about 8-9 hours of sun, more earlier in season. Water from hose has low TDS (50-55 ppm) when checked at beginning of summer. It was producing normal nice pitchers earlier in season, now they seem stunted and not developing right. It is growing in the wetter part of the bog and I am wondering if it might be getting too much water, bug/slug damage, or something else I am doing wrong? Everything else in the bog is looking great; Sarracenia, cobra, flytraps, pings, sundews.

Thank you for your time

Answer
Hi Djoni,

You might unpot this plant and inspect the roots to see if anything in eating at them or the rhizome.  This looks like some kind if pest damage, but I don't see any obvious signs of aphids.  Treat accordingly if you find something.  

The only other thing I can think of is possible exposure to a small amount of herbicide such as Round-up.  If it got just a tiny amount it might cause this kind of deformity.  If that's the case you will just need to give the plant time to dissipate it.

Good Growing!

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