Carnivorous Plants/Darlintonia

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Expert: - 8/4/2011


Question
I had purchased a beautiful Cobra Lily a few months from a reputable dealer. It is doing wonderfully and growing great. After watching Volume 1 of your DVD series, I think I am using the wrong soil media. I am currently using Nepenthes soil mix that contains dried sphagnum. I have ordered everything accept the Lava rock ( currently not in stock) by you guys. I know it is not recommended to re-pot now but after watching your great videos I am nervous about the current media I am using.

So I have 2 questions...

1. Where can I find lava rock for potting purposes? All the lava rock I find is for use with gas grills.

2. When and if I do re-pot should I soak the roots in SuperThrive?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Drew,

If your plant is doing fine now, leave it alone.  Darlingtonia are definitely more touchy about root disturbance compared to Sarracenia.  Next April, depending on where you live, is a good time to transplant.  If you're in warmer climate such as California or anywhere in the South, early March is good.  I find that if you can repot right when they are starting to come out of dormancy, they seem to be able to handle the recovery better.  Superthrive is a good idea.  It really helps with transplanting shock.

Lava rock isn't vital.  Check with decorative rock companies.  The stuff for gas grills is ok, it's just a bit big.  You want a smaller diameter rock.  Pumice is good too if you can find it.  Otherwise, equal parts peat moss, perlite and small orchid bark will get the job done also.  If you can get a hold of live sphagnum moss, that is an excellent medium.  The goal with Darlingtonia medium is similar to Nepenthes; it needs to hold moisture, but drain well to give good root aeration.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com

Carnivorous Plants

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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.

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTION:
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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?)

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http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

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