Expert: Christopher Littrell - 1/31/2010

Question
how do i propagate a sarracenia-readii-medium.would i be able to use one flower to get seeds?

Answer
Hello Kaepora,

All Sarracenias require two separate flowers to obtain seeds. They do not self-pollinate and require cross-pollination to provide genetic diversity. Bees and flies typically pollinate the flowers. You would need to ensure that the plants have had a normal dormancy, are adult plants, and that they are both flowering at the same time (easy to do since Sarracenias typically flower around the same month each year with each species often flowering at a slightly different time). You would also need to ensure that you do not get cross-pollination from non-S.readii hybrids as Sarracenias of all species typically cross-pollinate rather easily. Once pollinated, the flowers will dry out and close, then brown. When the scape begins to die back, clip off the flower and let is dry some more for a week or two, then crush it until you see tiny tan colored, almond shaped seeds fall out. You would need to winterize the seeds, called stratifying, gto ensure that they will sprout next year. To stratify Sarracenia seeds, take the seeds and drop them on the surface of Sphagnum peat moss and perlite in a 50/50 mix then ensure that the mix remains moist at all times. Place the pot of mix with the seeds on top in a cold place. If you have cold winters where you live it would be easy just to place the seeds outside in a place protected from animals as birds would eat the seeds. You can stratify them indoors if you have to with an ice chest (full of frozen water bottles replaced every 12 - 24 hours) or refrigerator. Make sure to keep the seeds at about 40 degrees in temperature for a minimum of 8 weeks or so. After 8 weeks pass, you can warm the seeds up in a bright window and place some 40 watt florescent shop light tubes over them (twin mount cool white tubes provide 6000 lumens and should be only a couple inches from the seeds as when they sprout they will need plenty of light). You can keep them under 6000 to 12000 lumens of shop light tubes with supplemental window light for a year or two, but they will need very intense light (full sunlight) as they grow larger. After a couple years, they will be big enough to place outside in full sun anyways. It will take the plants around 3-5 years to reach maturity. Another way to propagate Sarracenias is simply to wait until the adult plants grow several crowns and divide them. Sarracenias form rhizomes that generate several crowns around the parent plants as they grow. Over time, they can generate dozens of separate plants that can be split apart with your hands and planted in separate pots as new plants.

Christopher