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Question
My Sarracenias are growing well, but when the pitchers open should they be filled with necter or dry inside? Also, after they bloom do I cut the flower back or let it go to seed? I would like to collect seeds if it will not hurt my plant. Thanks, Aiden
No, do not fill your pitchers with nectar or any fluids. The plant will secrete its own nectar along the rim of the pitcher. The nectar will naturally attract insects. As insects eat the nectar, they will fall into the pitcher. The pitcher walls are very smooth, so the insect is unable to escape. After a while, the insect dies and decomposes. The plant will absorb nutrients through the pitcher wall. No fluids are required.
Whether to cut the flower off or let it grow is entirely up to you. It doesn't harm the plant if allow it to flower, and it will not harm the plant if you cut the flower. It's mostly of personal preference.
For more information about growing Sarracenia, read our care sheets online and watch Volume 1 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series.
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets
http://www.cobraplant.com/DVD
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
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| Comment | Thanks for your help! I'm looking forward to seeing my plants bloom and I noticed this morning a bug is already trapped inside the pitcher. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Sarracenia Northwest
Expertise
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!
Experience
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.
Education/Credentials
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.
No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.
Just the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate
thousands of carnivorous plants each year.
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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTION: We no longer answer how-to questions (i.e. How do I propagate...?; How do I grow...?). Instead, we help growers by diagnosing a specific plant problem and offering solutions (i.e. Why is my sundew not producing dew?; Is now a good time to divide my Sarracenia?; Why are the traps turning black?; What's a good substitute for perlite?; Why didn't my seeds germinate?; Can you identify this carnivorous plant for me?) For general plant care, please read our care sheets on our main website: http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets For business questions: http://www.cobraplant.com/contact |
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