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Carnivorous Plants/Sphagnum Moss
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Question
Butterwort, Venus flytrap, a Sarrecenia Purple Pitcher variation, and two temperate sundews.
The issue I need clarification on is a simple one. Do I need to put a thin layer of sphagnum moss around the base of the plant that covers the topsoil? Is this necessary, or only an optional step for growing carnivorous plants? Would sphagnum moss be better for some carnivorous plants than others?
Thanks for your time in reading and responding to my question!
Hi Devon,
All of these plants appreciate having some live sphagnum moss on their media, especially the Sarracenia and temperate sundews. However, dried, long-fiber sphagnum is of little benefit (this moss is dead) unless you're using it for a top-dressing to minimize splash erosion from rain.
Devon, since it looks like you are new to growing carnivorous plants, consider taking a look at our DVD series. They can help get you headed the right direction, and help you avoid the pitfalls so common to new growers, and avoid all the conflicting information you read on the internet. They are kind of a "CP 101". The money you spend on those will save you lots in dead plants later. http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=38
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
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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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