Expert: Sarracenia Northwest - 9/16/2011

Question
I live in northern Illinois and last night it got down to 35 degrees!  It's only September and It's only expected to warm up a little bit.  If my temperate carnivorous plants go into dormancy now they will want to wake up sometime in December or January when it is below freezing most some of the time. I grow all my temperate carnivorous plants in a huge pot about 3 feet across which is to big to bring inside.  Can you think of any ways that I can keep my plants at least 65 degrees until it is time for them to go dormant?

Answer
Dormancy is triggered by a gradual decrease in nighttime temperature and daylight hours.  A single night of near freezing temperature is inconsequential.  When you really think about, all plants in your region experienced the same thing - trees, bushes, garden plants, parks, forest and so forth.  They all dealt with the same temperatures as your temperate carnivorous plants, and people just let them do their thing.  Eventually plants all around you will go dormant and remain dormant throughout the winter months, and they will emerge in spring.  

So don't worry about.  This is not at all a concern.  Your plants know what to do as long as you give them the opportunity.  Watch our monthly podcast.  We provide updates on what to do.  You won't need to start prepping for winter dormancy until late October to mid November.
http://www.cobraplant.com/videos

Good growing!
Jacob Farin