Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 9/30/2010

Question
I received a N. Bicalcarata in the mail yesterday from Borneo Exotics, and it was bare root so i potted it up in a mix of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. I then placed it in a south facing window and misted it. Later i saw that many of the leaves were curling, hardening and blackening and i dont know why. Any thing to improve its condition will be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Preston,

The symptoms you're describing is related to a sudden change in environment, mainly going from an extremely humid environment to a relatively dry environment.  Bicalcarata will acclimate to lower humidity, but it most be exposed to that condition very gradually, over the course of two weeks.  If the change is too sudden, the plant will lose excess moisture through its leaves, which is what you're seeing in your plant.  Right now, there isn't any thing you can do to reverse the damage.  The most you can do is to prevent excess moisture loss.

I recommend moving your plant away from the window and placing a clear plastic cup over your plant.  This will keep the humidity around the plant high while it recovers.  Keep the plant away from any direct sunlight.  

Only time will tell if your plant will survive.  After 2-4 weeks, when you see signs of new growth, you can safely assume your plant is going to make it. At that point, you can begin the process of acclimating your plant to lower humidity.  The process is a bit too involved to explain in this format.  Watch Volume 3 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series for this information.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin