Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 10/20/2011

Question
Any ideas of why this might b occurring?
Light source:few compact fluorescent bulbs 4 inches from top of plant
Light exposure:around 15 hours
Growing Medium:sand 1/4, peat moss 1/4, perlite 1/4, LFSM 1/4
watering:every other day
container:terracotta container
Growing homies: Cephalotus..doing great; lowland nepenthes:species unkown...growing ok; Drosera Binata...doing great; Few cephalotus cuttings...doing Great


plz refference the one I emailed before..thanks

Answer
Thank you for supplying the information.  This is helpful.  In the wild, Drosophyllum flowers in February through May, which means it's triggered by short nights.  The plants from our nursery were grown in the natural rhythm of sunlight, about 11-12 hours at the time you purchased your plant.  You then had the plant on 15 hours, which essentially decreased the night hours, which naturally happens in spring.  In addition, your watering regimen simulated increased rain in spring.  On top of that, your seedling probably has vigorous genes.  Even in optimal conditions, we usually see these plants flower after 3-5 years.

Nothing you're doing is wrong, per se.  It's the extreme change in conditions that simulated spring conditions that triggered you plant to flower.  Just cut it off for now.  Wait until your plant is at least a year old before allowing it to flower.  This will give your plant time to focus on producing more leaves.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin