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Carnivorous Plants/Bog growing slow

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Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 7/2/2009


Question

Bog
Hi,
I started a Carnivorous Plant bog garden early spring, it is approximately  6’ x 4’ and 10”-12“ deep.  Which has mainly Sarrs, and a few flytraps.   The Sarrs all flowered well enough, however they are all showing slow growth and  few pitchers;  I have less mature Sarrs in pots, that are showing great growth, except for a fungus problem on one plant;  that you guys helped with. The few flytraps also are growing slow.   The soil media is about 2/3 peat moss and 1/3 silica sand.   It has plenty of sun, I have great tomatoes growing just down the way, I make sure no fertilizers or hose water contaminate the bog.    The only thing I can think that may have gone wrong, is that when setting the bog up, I used about twenty gallons of rain water(which most of my other CPs get; and are growing well) however, that was not enough water, and I used about another twenty gallons of Store machine filtered RO water.  I called up the company who set up the machine and they assured me that the water is very pure, with no added salts after the RO process.  However, I am beginning to wonder if that was true because I have no other explanation.  So I’m not sure if I should try to change out the soil, but that is a heck of a lot of wet peat and sand to change out, not to mention that some of the flowers appear pollinated and would hate to lose them by replanting.  Any advice or suggestions?   I was very excited to build this Bog, but I’m starting to think I should have potted them instead.

Thanks Much again

Bud  

Answer
Hi Bud,

Thanks for sending the photo.

I don't think you need to replace the soil.  They are not really showing signs of hard water damage, they are just growing slow.  Overall the plants look healthy, they are just not growing very fast.  This is probably more of a temperature issue.  You'll probably just need to give it time.  What have temperatures been like in your area?

I definitely noticed a similar pattern when I planted a big bathtub full of plants last year.  Some didn't get as large as their potted friends, but this year (year 2), wow!  The plants had more time to establish and have really put on some size.  So, give them time.

If you're still curious about the water, just take a sample of it to an aquarium store, or buy a little test kit for hardness.  I have some test strips I bought at Lowes in their pond supply section.  They match pretty close to our TDS meter.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentA big thanks once again!


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Sarracenia Northwest

Expertise

If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!

Experience

With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again. Get the straight facts from the guys who grow and propagate thousands of these plants every year.

Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.

No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.


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