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Carnivorous Plants/Winterizing Sarracenia in Denver with wide swings in temperature
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Question
This is my first year growing Sarracenia in the Denver area. They are in planters I can lift but are heavy. We usually have wide swings in temperature here. It can be 70° one day and 28° the next. Garages, sheds and cold frames are not good options because they heat up from the sun even on cold days. I have no place in the house that is below 62°. I do have a crawl space that is 57°, however on warm days it gets to the mid 60's. I currently keep them trimmed, damp, and wrapped in bubble wrap (it is dry here, so no mold issue) and covered with a larger inverted pot. This also protects them from the occasional 50 mph winds here. I uncover them when it is warmer here. This is a lot of work as the weather is changing constantly. Would it be better to just haul them into the crawl space and leave them there for the winter.
Hi Dana,
I think the crawl space will work. Just trim off the leaves on the trumpet varieties (you can leave phyllodia on flava and oreophila), but leave good looking leaves on S. purpurea or S. psittacina. Just use your judgement on hybrids. After that spray them very thoroughly with fungicide. I would recommend a sulfur fungicide such as Safer brand since sulfur is fairly long lasting. Since they will be in the dark the fungicide is very important.
You will need to check them periodically. They may need some water, or a bit more spray throughout the winter. Check them about every two weeks.
For next year, if the crawl space proves to be a hassle, you might consider building a cold frame for your plants. You would want something that would be located on the North side of a structure (house, etc...) so that it would be out of the sun. This would help minimize the temperature swings. You could then place the plants in it, and bury them with pine needles or other mulch, and close it up. You would still need to check them at times and give them a splash of water, but it might be easier to maintain.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
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Sarracenia Northwest
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If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!
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With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again.
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Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.
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