Expert: Christopher Littrell - 10/19/2007

Question
QUESTION: Ok, so I have my 3 1/2 inch wide pot that I am currently growing my hooded pitcher plant in. Most of its leaves have died and dried half way down but not completly down to the bottom. Should I cut the whole leaf off down to the bottom? I see young leaves coming out of the plant at the moment about 1 to 2 1/2 inches in length. It is growing on a WEST faced windowsill. I am living in Orange County, Yorba-Linda and the temperature has SLIGHTLY dropped but it still gets in the 80's temp. There are no freezes where I live. My backyard is facing west and my front yard is facing east but there is a hill right across the street with trees that make the sun "go away" sooner by blocking the sunlight. So what do you think I should do with my hooded pitcher plant at the the state its in?

ANSWER: Hello Ryan,

Just cut back all the brown sections of leaf and let the new leaves grow in.

Keep giving the plant mineral free distilled, reverse osmosis, or rain water, keeping a large tray of water under the pot with up to half the pot submerged. In addition, Sarracenia minor, like all Sarracenias, prefer direct sunlight. It will need a minimum of 4-6 hours of intense sun outside and plenty of light the rest of the day. Window light is diffused by the glass pane, so it is simply not the same as direct sun outside. try to get the plant in a South facing window so it gets all day sun though the window for a week or so, then outside if possible. Winter will be here soon anyway, so the plant will go dormant in November when the day length shortens enough.

So long as new leaves are growing in, that is a good sign.

Christopher

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi I just wanted to say that the window was open and its on an east windowsill not a west. So a south facing windowsill get longer sunlight? Doesn't the house or wall block the sun from reaching the plant because its right above the house not to the side where the plant could actually "see" the sun, right? If you dont understand this then dont get too frustrated. oh and should I cut the half dead leaves all the way down or half way?

ANSWER: Hello Ryan,

Sounds like you have the same window problems I have. Some houses simply are situated in such a way that they do not receive good South sunlight. In any case, the morning sun window you have the plant in hopefully gives the plant at least 4 hours of direct sun. If you simply can't get the plant outside where it can receive sun all day, you could add florescent lights over the plant to supplement the window (in any event, winter is approaching, so your plant will be going dormant soon with decreasing photoperiod and cooler weather). The roof and walls of your house, as you indicated, cut down on the amount of light the plant can receive.

I have my North American plants indoors too, under florescent lights alone, but 12,000 lumens of such light. That is barely adequate for Venus Flytraps and Sarracenias. If I could, I would get mine outside too as they are slow growing and not as healthy when grown indoors. I can attest to that.

Just cut the brown sections, leave any green.. so if your pitchers are brown half way down, cut them half way down. If a pitcher is brown to the base of the plant, cut it all the way to the base.

Keep up the good care with your Sarracenia,

Christopher

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi what do I do when my hooded pitcher plant goes dormant in November or sometime.

Answer
Hello Ryan,

In most cases, the day length will tell the plants that fall has arrived and that winter is coming. They will slow down in growth and eventually stop growing once the first frosts hit. Since you have the plant in a sunny window it will know what to do when the time comes. Just make sure that when cold weather comes that the plant can experience it. Cold weather down to about 40-50 degrees will be perfect for overwintering the Sarracenia. Do not let it warm too much above 50 degrees or get more than winter photoperiods of light or it might decide it is done with dormancy and try to start growing again in the middle of winter which might kill the plant. If the window you have it in provides cold drafts in winter, leave it there to overwinter. If not, you might have to try a refrigerator or ice chest after the plant has gotten the lowest day length winter provides in late November. When the weather outside chills, place the plant in the fridge or an ice chest with ice bottles around it... make sure the temperature is around 40-50 degrees in either place. The fridge will be easiest as you can just leave the plant in their in a slightly opened plastic bag (keep the plant's soil slightly moist through winter and watch out for fungus wherever you place it). The ice chest will be more time intensive and require constant replacement of ice bottles and opening in the day to air out. Either works well enough as a simulated winter until February. Only try those tactics if the window does not give a few spikes down to the 40s and consistent temperatures of lower than 50. The best overall method will be based on what your environment will provide naturally and what you are capable of providing if simulation is needed. In February, the window will provide the plant with all the cues it needs to come out of dormancy as it warms up and begins to feel the days lenthen.

Keep up the good care with your Sarracenia,

Christopher