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?)
Well, it has been a tough spring for my Sarracenia. Aphids, lousy weather and who knows what else have all done a number on them. In any case, my sarracenia are not doing very well. But hope springs eternal and I am starting to see some healthy looking pitchers on some of my plants.
My question is about the less healthy looking ones that seem to be producing healthier looking pitchers. Should I cut off the deformed pitchers to allow the plant to put more energy into the production of new pitchers, or should I leave them on to capture as many insects as they can and also photosynthesize ? You should also know that some of the plants are producing the winter leaves .. and not just the leucophylla
As always.... thanks for your advice.
Nicole
Answer Hi Nicole,
I know the feeling. We had some significant plant damage this year due to a freak thunderstorm in June.
Just cut off any badly damaged leaves. They tend to be of little use to the plant. If some have significant insect capture you might leave those. Phyllodia production is a result of photoperiod. Many S. flava and oreophila start making them this time of year.
