Question
I bought a pitcher plant recently and I live in the Portland area. Anyway my plant has begun to turn brown is this normal for summer time? The plant is in a plastic pot sitting in a saucer with 2 inches or so of water, and in full day long sun. Until about 2 weeks ago it was grown new pitchers and doing great, all pitchers full of bugs.  Help! Thanks so much!  Tracey

Answer
Hi Tracey,

This sounds very much like part of the seasonal cycle.  Depending upon the species, the plant may be in just a lull until early September when a flush of late season leaves will grow.  If the plant is a Yellow Trumpet (Sarracenia flava) or a Green Pitcher (Sarracenia oreophila), the pitchers will slowly decline until they die in the fall.  They will be replaced by flat, non-carnivorous leaves called pyllodia that will last through the winter.


Good Growing!

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