Expert: Christopher Littrell - 9/17/2007

Question
Hey,
I know this seems like a silly question, but, with Sarracenia and Drosera that
require that winter-dormancy, do they need light? I plan to put them in the
coldest part of our basement, where it should stay around 36 degrees
Fahrenheit all winter, but...they wont get any sunlight, is this okay? Or should i
find someplace else...

Answer
Hello Carl,

That is actually not a silly question at all. During dormancy, light is simply more of a timing device for plants than a source of photosynthesis since they are living off their rhizome starch reserves at that time. If the plants are grown where they feel the seasonal changes in photoperiod as the days shorten, they will begin to go dormant in late fall. Once they stop growing and feel the first cold of the season, they can be placed in the basement, but be watchful for mold and remember to check up on them for watering as they still need barely moist soil at that time. When winter is over, place them back in their normal positions where they can warm up and they will detect the seasonal lengthening of the days again and resume growth (begin watering normally again at this time too). Some people place their plants in the refrigerator and I have had success by placing them in an ice chest through winter. The main thing is to keep them cool without freeze drying them, keep them just barely moist, and ensure they do not get much light during winter. A slight warming and too long of a photoperiod (generally over 8 hours of light) too soon will bring them out of dormancy early and a sudden cold front could kill them if the weather fluctuates. Make sure you have sulfur or neem oil based fungicide on hand if you notice any mold growth and spray only sparingly as directed on the container. If the plants could be placed in open air and winter sun, they would not suffer mold attack nearly as often. If your region is simply too cold in winter (below freezing) and has drying wind, then keep them protected in a cold indoors spot as your planning on doing. Sarracenias, North American Sundews, and Venus Flytraps can all survive weather below freezing if growing in a natural bog, but in pots are simply not as well insulated.

Keep up the good care with your plants,

Christopher