Question
Hello,

 I live in Los Angeles, Calif. and I have a question about some wierd spring growth on some Sarracenia plants. A lot of the new spring pitcher that is developing on Sarracenia alata and Sarracenia rubra have very large wings. They almost seem as if they're phyllodias. However, the Sarracenia rubra is flowering so i wouldn't think that it has a serious problem, but i've never seen this kind of growth on it last spring.
 However, the Sarracenia alata exhibits the most extreme case of the problem. The leaves are almost completely pitcherless and are very wide, flat, and flimsy. The plants are growing in a regular mix of peat moss and perlite. These plants also get about five-six hours of sunlight per day and my other Sarracenia plants don;t exhibit these long, flimsy,leaves. These plants were also allowed to go through winter dormancy outside. However, the Sarracenia alata did seem to exhibit the continuation of some minor growth during early-mid winter. It grew one random pitcher while all the other plants were obviously dormant.
 Is this normal growth or am i doing something wrong for Sarracenia rubra and Sarracenia alata?

 Thank you in advance.
      -Mike

Answer
Hi Mike,

Alata in Latin means winged, and Sarracenia alata got its name for the wings that develops on its pitchers.  All Sarracenia species produce it, but it's most pronounced on Sarracenia alata.  Some varieties, such as those coming from Alabama and Louisiana, have large wings, while those coming from Texas have smaller wings.  Sarracenia rubra, particularly subspecies wherryi, gulfensis and alabamensis, also display wings that could rival those of alata.

This is a common feature with early season pitchers.  It's a way to maximize photosynthesis as they emerge from winter dormancy.  As the season progresses, sunlight levels increase and temperature warms up, these plants will produce normal looking pitchers.  

If you are concerned about these leaves and would like to see more of the typical looking leaves, give your plant more sunlight.  Sarracenia alata can tolerate a lot of sunlight and heat, so the more sun you give it, the happier it'll be.

For more information about growing Sarracenia, read our care sheets online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin