AboutSarracenia Northwest Expertise Got a carnivorous plant problem? The growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin have helped thousands of growers around the world, and they can help you too. When you submit your question, they will diagnose your situation and offer a solution to help you get your carnivorous plant back on track.
Experience With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. Get the straight facts from the guys who grow and propagate thousands of these plants every year.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTION:
We no longer answer how-to questions (i.e. How do I propagate...?; How do I grow...?).
Instead, we help growers by diagnosing a specific plant problem and offering solutions (i.e. Why is my sundew not producing dew?; Is now a good time to divide my Sarracenia?; Why are the traps turning black?; What's a good substitute for perlite?; Why didn't my seeds germinate?; Can you identify this carnivorous plant for me?)
Question Hello, I have a few questions regarding some plants I have been growing, and hope you can answer them without pictures. My camera is broken.
I live in Jacksonville, Florida which is in between zones 8 and 9. Temperatures are currently in the upper 90's and all my plants are doing fine in the heat. In my yard, the sunniest location is the deck and it is where I grow all my carnivorous plants. In the summer, my plants will get between 5 1/2 and 6 hours of direct sun a day.
Now my questions are these...
- I have a Florida Giant sundew and the red coloration in the tentacles and dew after over a month in the sun is virtually non-existent. Is this normal?
-Is a 5 1/2 hour photo period fine for my plants?
-Can pea gravel be used as a top dressing in hot humid areas such as Florida, Or will it cause root burn?
-Will Sarracenia rubra rubra get enough dormancy here?
And finally...my sole indoor tropical.
-I have a D. capensis in my Eastern windowsill with two CFL fixtures to supplement the light from the window. I want to expand my number of D. capensis and CFL's would be too much of a hassle in that situation. However, the windowsill is too small for a 4ft shop light, and the most I could use would be a 3ft (2ft is preferable) fixture. how can I supply them with enough light?
Thank you for taking the time to answer, I am a first time grower and have spent many hours researching, and worrying.
I do have motivation though! I have spent over a hundred dollars on the hobby so far and the bill is getting bigger.
Answer Hi Connor,
Florida Giant dewthreads are fairly green. Then seldom get at red as typical filiformis filiformis.
That should be fine. Your plants will be your best guide. If colors are not vibrant, then you need more sun.
In a hotter climate be cautious with gravel top-dressing. It can burn stems of plants in hot sun. Try coconut chips or sphagnum moss.
Yes. Your area of Florida isn't truly tropical. The decrease in daylight hours and temperature decrease will induce dormancy. The only truly tropical areas of the U.S. would be Hawaii, Florida Keys, and Puerto Rico.
You can find two-tube 24" fixtures. They're a bit more expensive, but they work.
