Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 12/2/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi

Four years ago i purchased a Sarracenia minor. The plant is growing in peat and Spang moss in full sun for at least 3 hours of the day.
Water: i use rain water when possible, but do substitute with tap water on occasion.
I am from South Africa.

The plant grew vigorously for the 3 years. Last year pitcher size past 30cm! however the plant was it by a hail storm. All the pitchers were damaged. the plant stopped growing. the damaged pitcher were and are still green, but the plant is still not growing a year later. I gently examined the bulb, with minimum damage to the roots, bulb is fine, no rotting. The plant flowered again this season.

We are 3 months into our growing season. i'm a bit worried. is there anything i can do to start the plant growing again?

Thanks
Ebi

ANSWER: Hi Ebi,

This may have nothing to do with the hail storm.  Sarracenia can have all kinds of damage to leaves, but as long as the rhizome is not damaged they come back just fine.  You mentioned 3 years.  When was the last time the plant was transplanted?  Sarracenia will decline in vigor if in need of transplanting.  Since you use some tapwater, it may have minerals building up.  Also, early December in the southern hemisphere would be the equivalent of early June for us.  Here in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. we don't tend to see nice leaves on S. minor until later in the summer, usually July.  If you could send me a photo I could a better assessment.

Overall, I would say give it a transplant into fresh media, and just give it some time.  Be sure it's getting full sun.  For more information on growing Sarracenia visit our caresheet pages on our website.  Also consider our volume #1 DVD.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the fast response.
last repot was about 2 years ago. When i examined the rhizome the plant was not root bound. Will change the medium of you think it's necessary.
As far as I know water here is very very clean and low in minerals.
i was concerned because normally this time of the year the plant has thrown out at least a few pitchers. Perhaps i'm overly concerned and the plant just needs time.

pic of my plant available here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56648355@N08/5226865968/

Thanks
Ebi

Answer
Hi Ebi,

It's definitely time to repot.  The peat moss breaks down over time, and it's probably time for a bigger pot also.  Do that and just give it some time.  Later in the summer it should look good again.  Use a half and half mix of sphagnum peat moss and perlite or sand.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com