Question
I was wondering if it is possible to grow a Sarracenia rubia in a hydroponics system. I thought it would work if you just use plain water because it gets its fertilizer from the bugs it at and it would be perfect because of the water requirements.

Answer
Hi Jesse,

It works.  I've grown several Sarracenia in rockwool in the past experimentally.  There just isn't really any advantage to it, and it isn't superior in any way to peat media other than just being a little cleaner.  It's also much more expensive.  In addition, Sarracenia do get some nutrients from peat moss that affects things like color of the plants.  Some sundews grow ok on rockwool also.  The only thing I've found that rockwool is really good for are Nepenthes cuttings since it supports the new roots very well.  However, even for that, it can be tough to transplant since the roots entwine in the rockwool so much.

Good Growing!

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