Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 9/11/2010

Question
I am in zone 7 in Walnut Cove, NC. My question to you regards darlingtonia. I know that darlingtonia must have it's roots kept moist, especailly during the summer. I don't have a means to install drip tubes. I am thinking heavily about turning a back corner of my bog into a pond/reservoir to pump back water to my cobra. The question is: does this sound like a lot of excess work and trouble to ya'll or is this something you'd reccomend? And if so could you possibly reccomend a trustworthy store? I really want to be prepared for this plant when I plant it in Spring.

For all you're counsel,

Thanks,

Daniel

Answer
Hi Daniel,

Any situation where you have the water moving will be of value for Cobra plants.  If you were already thinking of building a bog garden/pond it will provide a place for a water source along with an area for Utricularia if you want aquatics.  It could be nice place for your Darlingtonia along with other plants.

If you have our volume #1 of our DVD you saw the drippers on our Darlingtonia beds.  These systems are very inexpensive.  Everything for that I bought at either True Value or Ace Harware.  Your closest True Value is Pinnacle, NC.  They are Raindrip brand.  You can easily put it on a timer for the plants.  Here's an example:  http://www.raindrip.com/drip-irrigation-kits  This is probably the simplest method of providing irrigation for a Darlingtonia, but it could be used to water your bog garden also.

Good Growing!

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