Question
hi, i just had a few questions regarding sarracenia.  Ok, So far, all my plants have produced pitchers and I've successfully pollinated my S. Flava flowers.  My question.  All of the plants have produced a pitcher except my S. Fledgling.  It had pitchers on it that were forming but they got soft fell over and died and today the flower stalk died too.  I checked the dirt and it was moist/wet.  Whats happening to my S. Fledgling?  This is the only plant that is doing this.  could it been do to the weather?  The weather in the past few days has been in the high 80s and low 90s here in NY!  Its supposed to be low 70s to mid or high 80s all this week with cool nights.  60 to 70 degrees F.  Please help i don't want this plant to die because it is one of my favorites, thanks for your help!!!

Answer
Hi Dustin,

When a plant suddenly collapses, it's usually from something going wrong in the rhizome.  It's very rare for a Sarracenia to collapse from hot weather unless the temperature is well above 100癋.  These plants are accustomed to 90癋 weather in their natural habitat.

The most common issues with plant collapse are grubs and fungus.  Both attack rhizomes rather viciously, so you should treat the plant immediately.  Remove the plant from the soil, and rinse and examine the rhizome.  Look for fungus or any bore marks made by a grub.  The fungus will look fuzzy.  If the rhizome feels somewhat soft or has portions of it that feels soft, then fungus is the problem.  In this case spray with a sulfur-based fungicide.  

If you see bore marks, then you got a grub or worm problem.  You might not see or find the critter, except for the chew marks.  In this case, spray your plant with an insecticide.

After spraying your plant, cut off the flower stalk and set the rhizome in a bowl of water (mineral-free) with the growing portion just above the water.  Keep the plant indoors in a south window.  Change the water every other day.  Whether the plant makes it through depends on the severity of the damage.  You should know in a few days whether or not the plant will pull through.

Please let me know what you find.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin