Question
HELP!! For the past 2 years I have not been able to winter over my Sarracenias. (green, purple, and now a Scarlet Belle)They grow extremely well through the summer and for the winter I did as you said and put them in a south facing window in an unheated garage, they had rain water (which froze for the winter)and the correct potting medium. I think I'm in zone 5, I'm near Port Huron, Michigan. Because of stumbling onto your web site one day, I have an interest in Carnivorous plants, and I have your CD. I have several Asian Pitcher plants that are my pride and joy. But I'm going to give up if I can't winter over the other ones. Needless to say I have been replacing them every year. But I hate buying them knowing full well I'm going to kill them. Your opinion is the only one that matters as far as I'm concerned. You guys are the best.

Answer
Hi Mariellen,

Thank you for sharing your experience.  Over wintering is probably the trickiest part of growing perennials in pots, regardless if they're carnivorous or not.  Potted plants are just more susceptible to frost damage than in-ground plants.  

At least what we know is that for your particular climate, the garage method doesn't work.  This might be a factor of repeated thawing and freezing.  Ironically, I know of growers in Canada who simply place their Sarracenia in unheated greenhouses.  Because the winter temperatures are consistently below freezing, their plants tend to come through just fine.  But whenever the temperature goes above freezing for a while and back down below freezing, potted plants are at risk for frost damage, especially if the temperatures change suddenly, frequently and rapidly.

I certainly understand the financial aspect of caring for carnivorous plants.  Like orchids, this can be an expensive hobby and difficult to keep up with if plants keep dying on you.  I have lost numerous plants, and like you I replace them to try a different way of growing them.  (This is why we kill plants so you don't have to!)

In any case, I certainly encourage you to do it again, but differently.  Again, we know that the method you used didn't work for you, so we need to modify it.

First, start with a larger plant.  Large plants are much more resilient than smaller, younger plants.  When you get them, repot them into a larger pot, 6 inches or larger.  A large pot will insulate your plant from rapid temperature changes.

Second, make sure you grow your plant in full sun during the growing season.  Anything less than that, and you plant won't be able to store enough starches for the winter.  

Third, make sure that you allow your plant to experience a series of frost before winterizing them.  This part is important.  Without the frost, your plants won't go dormant completely.

Fourth, winterize your plants only when the nighttime temperatures are consistently below freezing (or if it ever goes below 20癋).  

Finally, when you bring them in the garage, cut off all their leaves and place them in a large tray of water.  Place a pond heater in the tray and set the thermostat to just above freezing.  This will control the soil temperature better.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin