Question
Hello,

I have a small collection of pitcher plants and flytraps that I've kept outside in
bowls all summer. Can you give me some specific instructions on how best to
over-winter them? I live just outside of Des Moines, Ia so I am pretty sure
keeping them outside all winter would be a bad idea, even in the garage (its
unheated). Should I keep them in the fridge? If so, how? Thanks!

Answer
Hi Chris,

It's possible to over winter your plants outdoors as long as you're willing to mulch your pot very heavily.  To do this, you'll need to clip off any leaves that are taller than 4 inches.  Cut the leaves down to the base of the plant.  Spray the soil and plants with a sulfur-based fungicide.  Be generous with it because you'll need to prevent fungus from growing.  Next cover your plants, pot and all, with about 6-10 inches of mulch.  Use aspen bedding, straw, wood chips or pine needles.  You'll need to make sure all sides of the pot are well insulated with mulch.  You may also need to cover the mulch with some sort of garden netting to keep the mulch in place.  Also make sure the soil is moist.  You can keep the pot setting in water.

You can also keep your bowls in an unheated garage using this method.  This might also provide extra insulation from freezing wind and rapid temperature swings.

If you prefer to use the refrigerator method, you'll need to unpot all of your plants and rinse off the old soil.  You'll also need to clip off all leaves on your plants to prevent mold.  Also spray the roots and rhizome with a sulfur-based fungicide to also prevent mold and fungus.

Next get some dried sphagnum moss and soak it for 20 minutes in a solution of Consan 20 (a type of quarantary ammomium) to kill off fungal and bacterial spores.  Squeeze out enough of the solution to keep the moss damp but not drenched.  Wrap the roots and rhizome with the moss.  Place everything in a zip lock bag and place the bag in the bin of your refrigerator.  Check the rhizomes periodically for mold and fungus.  Treat immediately if you see any.

After about 3 months you can remove your plants and repot them in fresh soil.

Regardless of the method you use, always initiate winterizing AFTER your plants have gone dormant.  This usually occurs when the daytime temperatures are in the lower 40s and your nighttime temperatures are below freezing.

For more information about caring for carnivorous plants, read our care sheets online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin