Question
What is the latest in the growing season for my Zone 8, NC to plant new CP's to let them get established before going in their dormant stage? I can gladly wait till next spring if you think best.

1)I would like to add a couple more Sarracenia and VFT's this year if possible.

2)I have a bog garden with full sun, rain water added and a mixture of mostly peat and part sand. Even though this is a raised bog there is at least a foot of outside soil beyond the bog area on two sides.

3) Zone 8.


Answer
Hi Ken,

You can get your Sarracenia and flytraps anytime of the year as long as you get them from a grower who grows them in a similar climate as yours.  That way you can be assured that the plants will have experienced similar changes in the seasons.  For instance, our nursery is located in zone 8 (Eagle Creek, OR), and we grow all US native plants exclusive outdoors.  So any plant coming from our nursery will be perfectly acclimated for zone 8 regions (and warmer) throughout the country.

When replanting them in an in-ground bog garden during the growing season, you just need to be careful about minimizing root disturbance.  This is a simple process by keeping some of the original soil around the roots, assuming of course that you purchase potted plants rather than bare root plants.  

If you intend to purchase plants from a nursery that's located in zones 9 or 10, make sure to purchase them prior to the end of summer because your growing season will be coming to an end very shortly, while the nursery's growing season might extend into late fall.  By getting your plants early, you will make sure they acclimate to the change in seasons for your region.

For more information about growing US native carnivorous plants, visit our main web site:
http://www.cobraplant.com

Good growing!
Jacob Farin