Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 5/7/2010

Question
last fall i collected a few hundred vft seeds from my thriving adult vft collection.  (usually i trim the flowers so the traps flourish)  i went through all the steps and got about 100-125 seedlings. when they were about 4-5 months old i repotted them into 3 big pots.  i put one pot outside into the cool South Dakota spring nights and moderate day temps.  this pot experienced a few below freezing temps, but the traps remained green and lively.  the last week of april i slowly put the other 2 pots outside. they all looked great for the first 2 weeks, then i noticed they slowly shrunk into very tiny leaves and traps, there aren't as many as when i put them out, but a few dozen are looking like they will make it.  (there are a few sarracenia seedlings mixed in there too that i'd give a 50/50 chance to)  is this normal? or did i slip up and make a mistake by putting them out too soon, or too late?  i keep the 1/1 perlite/peat moss VERY moist and they see at least 7 hours of direct sunlight every day.  what would u suggest? or do i chalk this one up to experience and do better with next years harvest?

Answer
Hi Darren,

Yeah, this might be an "experience."  Seedlings can be temperamental, so ideally you should have waited before setting them outside.  They can tolerate frosts and cool temperatures, but they have to acclimate to them.  The best time to bring them outdoors is in early June when you're certain the risk of frost has passed.  This happens to a lot of growers.  Even for me.  I've been itching to get some tropical plants out of the greenhouse, but I know it's way to early.  We got down to 35 last night, so we still can experience a light frost through the end of the month.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin