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Carnivorous Plants/Substitute peat
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Question
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am currently growing Sarracenia flava and am in need of some new compost. I do not want to purchase peat and wandered if you knew of any good alternatives. I have been told that coir can kill them.
I would be very grateful if you can advise me on any successful alternatives.
With kindest regards
Simon Terry
Hi Simon,
I understand your issues about peat moss. The only reliable peat substitute for growing Sarracenia is sphagnum moss, either live or dried. You can use straight live sphagnum with your Sarracenia. Sarracenia grow phenomenally well in it. The only problem is finding enough of it for your collection. If you use dried sphagnum moss, then you should add equal amounts of perlite or pumice to improve the drainage.
Please keep in mind that this substitution is only appropriate for Sarracenia. It will not work long-term for flytraps and sundews.
Here are also a couple links about peat moss:
http://www.peatsociety.org/
http://www.peatmoss.com/index.php
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
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Sarracenia Northwest
Expertise
If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!
Experience
With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again.
Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.
No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.
Just the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate
thousands of carnivorous plants each year.
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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?) For general plant care, please read our care sheets on our main website: http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets For business questions: http://www.cobraplant.com/contact |
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