Sarracenia - carnivorous plant!

Discussion in 'Other Plants' started by FlourishAnn, May 18, 2018.

  1. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2012
    Messages:
    6,042
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Mad Scientist
    Location:
    Paignton Devon
    Ratings:
    +20,951
    Just like "Hotel California"
    @Mike Allen
    I've never noticed any pongs, in fact they stay remarkably fresh, could be down to the sphagnum moss.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Funny Funny x 1
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jun 3, 2008
      Messages:
      30,688
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Surrey
      Ratings:
      +45,641
      @Mike Allen - stating the obvious but they feed themselves.

      :)
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • Funny Funny x 1
      • RobB

        RobB Gardener

        Joined:
        Jul 27, 2019
        Messages:
        129
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        west Darrzaat
        Ratings:
        +231
        Hi,
        Some questions, general not specifically about this variety.
        Do they catch bees, wasps and hover flies?
        Can they be grown from seeds or is it best to buy a plant?
        Are they easy to keep?
        Which would be best for a first timer?
        It's something I've thought about a long time and never got round to it.
        Thanks
        Rob
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Sirius

          Sirius Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jun 26, 2012
          Messages:
          1,426
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Hertfordshire
          Ratings:
          +1,225
          You need sphagnum moss, not the sort of moss that grows in grass. This sort of moss will rot quite quickly when used like this.
           
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

          Joined:
          Jan 9, 2005
          Messages:
          47,720
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Retired
          Location:
          Mid Kent
          Ratings:
          +84,374
          I use moss peat.
          After a time sphagnum moss starts to grow on it anyway.
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Sian in Belgium

            Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Apr 8, 2011
            Messages:
            2,987
            Location:
            Just south of Brussels
            Ratings:
            +9,232
            I have sphagnum moss growing in part of the lawn, as well as on the edge of the pond...
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • Sian in Belgium

              Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Apr 8, 2011
              Messages:
              2,987
              Location:
              Just south of Brussels
              Ratings:
              +9,232
              @RobB , I will leave it to the experts, esp. @NigelJ, to answer most of your questions.

              I have failed to grow Venus fly-traps many times, and had heard that pitcher plants were easier, which is why I’m giving it a go...
               
              • Useful Useful x 1
              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                Joined:
                Jan 9, 2005
                Messages:
                47,720
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired
                Location:
                Mid Kent
                Ratings:
                +84,374
                Pitcher plants are in general hardier than venus fly trap, that might make them slightly easier if you don't have any winter heat.
                Nepenthes are often referred to as pitcher plants but in general require a fair bit of warmth in winter.
                Sarracenia can be grown from seed, I have grown them from seed I collected off my plants, but it's a slow process initially.
                Most of the sarracenias are fairly easy given the right compost and lime free water and as much heat and light as possible in summer.
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • Useful Useful x 1
                • NigelJ

                  NigelJ Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jan 31, 2012
                  Messages:
                  6,042
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Mad Scientist
                  Location:
                  Paignton Devon
                  Ratings:
                  +20,951
                  @RobB I would start with a Sarracenia plant. As Pete said these are hardier and easier to overwinter than Venus fly traps. Nepenthes are more specialist and many are tropical "climbers". Drosera (sundews) are easily grown from seed but tend to be deciduous. I have a few and need to get more seed to "top up".
                  Yes Bees, Wasps and hover flies can get trapped in the pitchers, but not many mainly smaller flies and such like get trapped. Pitcher plants can get greenfly which distort the young pitchers and earwigs can damage the pitchers. My pitchers often have a spider living under the lid with its web across the top.
                   
                  • Like Like x 3
                  • pete

                    pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                    Joined:
                    Jan 9, 2005
                    Messages:
                    47,720
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Occupation:
                    Retired
                    Location:
                    Mid Kent
                    Ratings:
                    +84,374
                    I'd forgotten about those clever spiders:blue thumb:
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • RobB

                      RobB Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Jul 27, 2019
                      Messages:
                      129
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Location:
                      west Darrzaat
                      Ratings:
                      +231
                      Thanks NJ,
                      I'll find one to try, maybe get some seed or a plant from ebay or a garden centre.
                      Rob
                       
                    • Sian in Belgium

                      Sian in Belgium Total Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Apr 8, 2011
                      Messages:
                      2,987
                      Location:
                      Just south of Brussels
                      Ratings:
                      +9,232
                      Hmmm, how addictive is this carnivorous plant malarkey?!!
                       
                      • Funny Funny x 1
                      • KFF

                        KFF Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        May 30, 2017
                        Messages:
                        3,741
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Location:
                        Worcestershire
                        Ratings:
                        +5,890
                        Hi Sian, I've got it for Dianthus, Salvias, Irises and Lillies Aarrrrrgh

                        ( Used to have over 150 different Fuchsias as well ).
                         
                        • Funny Funny x 1
                        • KFF

                          KFF Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          May 30, 2017
                          Messages:
                          3,741
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Location:
                          Worcestershire
                          Ratings:
                          +5,890
                          Forgot to add, indoors Maranta/Calathea/Ctenanthe and Pelargoniums ........ double Aaaarrrrgh.
                           
                          • Funny Funny x 1
                          • JWK

                            JWK Gardener Staff Member

                            Joined:
                            Jun 3, 2008
                            Messages:
                            30,688
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Location:
                            Surrey
                            Ratings:
                            +45,641
                            Bought these 4 years ago they have steadily increased, got a single flower for the first time.
                            IMG_20190803_190513303_HDR.jpg
                             
                            • Like Like x 5
                            Loading...

                            Share This Page

                            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                              Dismiss Notice