Question
I enjoy your site and your videos & postings.  
I抦 soon receiving some younger & Mature Serracenia rhizomes from a bog garden in zone 7a.  I live in zone 5a, temps here are swinging mid 50s during the day to mid 30s at night with occasional swings a tad higher and lower; our last frost date is May 15th. There appears to be about an 8-10 degree difference in average temps between these two zones.   The question is, Im going to be planting these in about a seven gallon container, placed within an outer container, that will be holding water ;  hoping to help a bit to insulate the soil from extremes.  Is it ok to plant these this way when they arrive in my zone?  Or do I need to wait, but waiting may confuse them even more if they are coming out of dormancy from the warmer zone.  I抎 like to give them as much good light asap.

Thanks Much


Answer
Hi Bud,

You have to judge this based on the type of growth you see on your rhizomes.  If the plants are divisions AND you see new pitchers emerging, then you should protect the plant from a late season frost.  It's not that frost confuses the plant, but a severe late season frost will damage a newly divided rhizome, particularly if it has new growth.  Planting the rhizomes in a very large pot will help insulate them from frost.  Make sure the rhizomes are buried deep enough to protect the crowns or growing tips.  If you have a cold frame, place your plants in there for added protection.  With this type of precautions your rhizomes will do fine.  Look for new growth when your daytime temperature is consistently above 55癋.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin