Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 8/19/2010

Question
Dear sirs,

I reside in zone 7 of Walnut Cove, North Carolina. I understand it is best to wait out the season before I start making plans to trasnplant a darlingtonia (once I acquire one). Other than competence, confidence and skill, are there any other factors (time of year, weather) that would help to make it more favorable to transplant this plant into my bog? I have some superthrive which I can use to help perk it up should it suffer some shock after transplanting, but I don't plan to attempt that 'till early-mid spring. Does waiting out the season before transplanting help a cobra "toughen up" or enable it to build up resistance should it experience shock? Regardless, I'm trying to be smart and wise as to how I proceed with this plant. Thanks for any advice or tips you can offer.

Sincerely,

Daniel Bunton

Answer
Hi Daniel,

Late winter, or early spring is usually the best time to transplant Darlingtonia.  That gives them plenty of recovery time after transplanting.  If possible, plant it in live sphagnum moss.  Live sphagnum seems to alleviate many problems with this plant by moderating conditions for them.

We've found the biggest battle with them is getting a new root system established before leaves begin growing.  Using something like Superthrive is also a good idea to help assist this.  Also, minimize disturbance to the roots; leave some of the old soil around them.

We also found recently that using lava rock/scoria may be problematic if you use a peat soil mix.  Just replace it with more pumice or bark.

Good Growing!

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