Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 11/1/2011

Question
I obtained from you Flytraps (Venus, Cupped, Dente, and Red Dragon) at the beginning of this years growing season.  They started out small but by September all except the Cupped had traps one inch or larger.  Quite impressive.  They were all grown in full sun, water up to 1/3 of the pot and they were grown in the original pots they were sent in.
By the end of September, I noticed a difference in the plants as they all appeared to flatten out.  I finally discovered that the local birds had discovered the water and were not only landing on the plants to obtain water but also robbing the traps of any remaining insect parts when they reopened.  Needless to say, my traps all are now trampled and I know I must protect them from this problem next year.  Can these plants be salvaged for next year since it is the end of the growing season?  Help!

Answer
Yes, birds can sometimes be a problem.  At one point, jays were ripping open the Sarracenia pitchers to get the insects.  No plants were seriously harmed, and it was mostly a cosmetic nuisance.

Not much you can do for your plants other than continue to grow it as recommended.  Even in our care, this is the most we could do as well.  They will survive as long as the root system is healthy.  I suspect they'll be just fine during the winter months.  Leaf damage is relatively minor.  It doesn't affect the overall health of the plant other than outward appearance.  In spring, look forward to new growth.  

Good growing!
Jacob Farin