Question
I'd like to get a mix of at least 3 types of plant (preferably a sundew variety, a
pitcher variety and an undetermined third, looking for color and impact). I'd
be growing them either in an aquarium style setting or in an open tray type
setting with artificial lighting. Can you possibly give me the basics on three
varieties which would survive well together and what type of soil mixture I
would need to keep the recommended species' at best health if planted
together? If required, I can always section off the planter to provide a
separate soil section for each plant.

Also, I know this is a stretch...I'm living in Upstate NY by the great lakes, it
gets quite hot in the summer and frigid in the winter (including numerous
feet of snow). In the summer, the mosquito problem is ridiculous. Is there a
plant which may well survive in these outdoor conditions? I can always shift it
inside during the winter if required, though the house still gets chill.

My thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Mark

Answer
Hi Mark,

Three plants I could recommend right off would be, Nepenthes sanguinea (Asian pitcher plant), Drosera adelae (Lance-leaf sundew), and Pinguicula moranensis (Mexican butterwort).  Each of these plants is an easy grower, and very different.  Each of these, however, will need different soil media, so they would need to be in separate pots or somehow compartmentalized.  You can find growing information on each of these species here:  http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets  Go to the tropical section.

We actually have a long time customer in Upstate New York that has been quite successful with an outdoor bog garden.  She has been successful with several of the North American species.  Because you'll probably have plants in pots, you would need to move them to a garage or other sheltered cold area for the winter when they are dormant.  You don't want them in a warm house since depriving them of dormancy often leads to their death.  Some of my top recommendations would be:  Sarracenia purpurea ssp. purpurea (Northern Purple Pitcher plant), Sarracenia oreophila, (Green Pitcher plant), Sarracenia rubra ssp. jonesii (Mountain Sweet Pitcher plant), Drosera filiformis filiformis (Northern Dewthread).  All of these plants are very cold tolerant.  Sarracenia purpurea probably grows in a few bogs in New York.

You would be successful with most any of the North American species, however with proper winter protection.  Our e-book goes into detail about how to winterize your plants.  More information is available on our website about our e-book.

Good Growing!

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