Question
QUESTION: Hi Guys!
I have been growing Sarracenias of all types since 1990.  However, the only plant Ive had super long term success with is S. alata.  This thing is like a weed, and cannot be killed! I have lost beautiful examples of S. flava, purpurea, and other nice hybrids, even after a couple of good years of growing.  The only common factor I can see is that I lose the plants at the end of summer (late August-early September), and they tend to simply go from healthy to rotting away, and die completely!!  I live in Lousiana (Opelousas) and the summers are brutal here.  I grow my plants outside (of course) in full sun, water with collected rainwater, and use sphagnum peat mixed with sand, and some perlite.  As I said before, the S. alata are growing in the same conditions, and they have prospered, to say the least.  Can yall help with this?

Thanks,
Keith

ANSWER: Hi Keith,

This may have something to do with soil overheating and breaking down during the hottest parts of the summer.  Tell me more about:

- The kind of pots you're using

- Water trays and the way you are watering them

- How you are collecting the rainwater

- The source of your peat and perlite (Brands, size bag it came from)

- The area where the plants are kept outside

A photo would be great also!

Good Growing!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


S. alata in bloom   QUESTION: Hi Jeff
Thanks for the quick reply to my question.  To answer your follow up questions:

I grow all my plants in plastic pots.  For Sarracenias, I use 4-6" deep water trays, and water from the bottom, unless the plants have dried, then Ill topwater and fill the trays up.  I collect rainwater from my roof and let it fill up a clean garbage can for that purpose.  As far as the peat and perlite, I dont use any specific brand, etc.  The peat is usually of the "huge bale" variety found in garden centers, Home Depot, etc.  Attached is a photo from last year.

Thanks,
Keith

Answer
Hi Keith,

This is a bit mysterious, but here's what I think it might be.  Often during hot weather soil can get very warm in pots.  We've noticed over the years that the peat will breakdown and get a very foul odor during these condtions.  The breakdown is exasturbated by a high water level in the pots.  We see this here in Oregon during July and August, but we tend to have cooler nights, and we do get some rain at times that will drop temperatures.  I'm guessing that doesn't happen in Louisiana.  During the "Dog Days" of summer it is just hot and humid, day and night, with ocassional thunderstorms.  The soil is probably breaking down in the pots.

The reason Sarracenia alata isn't affected as badly is that it's growth habit is a little different.  Whenever I've repotted ours here, I've noticed that they can have ridiculous sized rhizomes in small pots.  They also tend to have short roots.  That isn't true for many of the others such as S. flava.  Their roots tend to go deep.  The roots are going down into that decay zone, and if the soil isn't changed, it kills the plant.

Here's what you can do.  Try to not keep the water more than an inch deep on the pots.  Do much more top watering of the species besides alata.  Also try potting the other varieties in taller pots that gets them a bit higher out of the water.  I would also just plan on changing the soil every year on the other species.  With your hotter climate, the peat breakdown is just going to happen more rapidly.  You might also try painting the tubs you're using white on the outside to try and lower the sun intensity on the pots some.

Out of curiosity, has Sarracenia leucophylla died the same as the others?  I know it is also native to a small area of your state along with S. alata.  I noticed here in Oregon that S. leucophylla, S. alata, S. minor, and S. psittacina don't get their best growth until the weather does get hot.

Let me know how it goes this summer.


Good Growing!

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