A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Guides to Growing Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous Plants
Venus Fly Traps
Pitcher Plants
Cobra Lily
Butterwort
Sundew

Hey Bill, I would like to have a couple of these plants. I know you can't dig them up from the wild. Would you know of any sources that I could check out? I saw a gardening show this a.m. and he made a beautilful dish garden from pitcher plants, butterwort and a couple of others. It was really pretty. Thanks, Mom

Amber J here is my pitcher plant when I first got it in the same pot as purchased.
The second picture is now with new growth at the top with pitcher spouts at the end of new leaves and some of the existing pitchers are beginning to shrivel up do I cut them off NOW or wait until they are completely dried up??


pic of it today



you can see the swriveled 'neck of the pitcher on the left and the lids of all pitcher are beginning to wringle as well.., is it the end of their life cycle because of the new growth at the top or I'm I not doing something correctley??

Any input would be appreciated!

Oh wow that is so beautiful!

I think it is the end of their cycle ... usually when mine would die I would clip em just for the looks. I do not think it would hinder anything to clip it - if it's not eating at the moment then why not? Maybe then the plant can concentrate its energy on the new growth?

So how is the plant doing with low humidity? I see it's not in a terrarium, what's the temp like in your house? How old is it? (The plant, not the house!

Amber J I really don't know how old the plant is I've had it for a couple of months a least and I bought it from a nursery. Well I Do live in Tx and it's been raining off and on that's why I have it in the window (I water it with rain water for now) if I feel it's getting to dry in the air I just mist it in the morning and again when I come home from work not directly on it but around it know what I mean?? The temp usually stays around 70-75 in here sometimes warmer maybe even up to 80 during afternoon hours but it seems to like it here ..
You know I was wondering about cutting it off so the energy would go to the new growth too. But you know how you just hate to cut on a plant you really know nothing about
I may wait untill it dries up just a LIITTLE more Okay I admit it I'm scared I don't want anything to happen to it I wanted one for sooo long ..!!
Diane

That plant is so pretty you inspired me to buy one

The shipping said it would take 9 - 12 days though - I hope it survives!!


Angel .... sssshhhhh - I think we're the only ones in here!

It's okay Jamie we get new members everyday I'm sure they will find this thread and join in It's just that pitcher plants are something that can be intiminating because of the humidity and care, But I was determinied not to let that bother me Cus I wanted one period!

SOO You DID order one?? I wish I knew more about how to start one off of mine I'd send you a starter express!!

Yeah I did - it's going to be here next week I guess! But from the pic it looks like yours


Amber

I saw some just like yours (although yours looks happier to be a alive) at a nursery yesterday. They're so neat that big! I almost bought myself one, but soon realised that I wouldn't be into misting it so much AND I don't have anywhere to put it. Guess I'll live vicariously through your pictures

Sylorna.... What was the price on the ones in the nursery??


Amber.... Post a pic when you get it . 9-12 days is a while for it to be closed up Where's it coming from(State) Now all the necks of mine are swrifling up I guess it's time to cut them off But I dont wanna!!I'm going to do a search and read up on the life cycle of the pitchers first...

Amber J...
maybe this can shed some light
http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq6010e.html

Amber J, It was only $30 Canadian, so something close to $25 US. I thought it was a pretty impressive price actually, considering that I had never seen them that big until I read your post

That is a pretty decent price alright !!

does anyone know how to make venus fly traps' traps twice as big

is it possible to take cuttings from venus fly traps? if so how?

how do you make VFT bloom

You want to keep your plant from blooming - if it starts to bud, definitely cut that sucker off!! It will kill your plant!

As soon as you see even the tiniest pokey of a stalk, pinch it off. If you let it go (especially by the time you see a flower), your plant is dead. It takes up so much of the energy that it kills the remaining plant.

It is complicated to gain seeds from a bloom, and takes much time for them to grow into big plants (we're talking years) - not worth it.

The best way to get cuttings from it is to tear a leaf off, making sure you get some of the white rhizome at the very bottom. Lay it down on top of the soil, cover it up just a bit at the base, water and wait.

The only way to make it grow bigger is time, sorry to say!

Angel,
That Pitcher plant amazes me!
It's so cool!
How do you keep one as a houseplant?
I just read Bill's info, but it seemed to pertain to outdoor plants.

What do you feed it?
Any info you have would be greatly appreciated.
I'm adding that to my list of dream plants!

So Sylorna, hows your plant if I may ask? They sure look awesome and where I live its almost tropical so I think one would thrive here.