Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 10/4/2011

Question
Allexperts,

I have a question about breaking up 3 plants and repotting them.  The  4 plants are  Sarracenia: Bell, Tarnok, Dana's Delight, and  Purpurea.  If I were to break these plants up would that cause to much stress on these plants?   Do to the fact that they will be going dormant very soon.    Thank you for your time.   


Sincerely,

Weylin Callery

Answer
Do you mean breaking apart the rhizomes now?  When you divide the rhizome, the plant needs time to repair the damage.  If you do it in early fall, your plant will need to use some of the starch reserves it built up over the summer.  The division will also make your plant much more prone to fungus.  This will make the plant vulnerable during winter dormancy.  

Many growers in the southern states can get away with dividing their plants in early fall because their growing season is relatively long with a relatively warm winter.  In your case, I'd advise waiting until late winter or early spring.  Do it when the plants are just about to emerge from dormancy.  That way they will have ample opportunity to repair the damage and store up more starch reserves for the following winter.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin