Sarracenia flava (common names: Yellow Pitcher Plant)

Love it...lol, Looks like you were going green before it was even popular.

Hi, S are you growing these from seed, if so where are they available from i would love to have a go, the one i have was bought, but i love it,

Hi Funky. I am afraid I have no seed at the moment or I could have sent you some. You do see it on eBay cheaply but do bear in mind that it is VERY slow germinating (up to 3 years) and then another 3 or 4 years of TLC to get to a reasonable size. No wonder they are quite expensive to buy as plants. Don't let me put you off though, if you succeed the sense of satisfaction is enormous.

John.

Hi John, thank for your answer, Well i'm not going anywhere for a day or two so i think i'll give some a try, great challenge,

OK. You asked for it. This site may help but don't think that everything has to be followed to the letter.

http://www.pitcherplant.org/propagation.html

John.

Hi Patricias. Welcome to GoY.

The best time to plant is in mid winter, starting now. Planting of the seeds is best done in pots. The planting mixture for virtually all North American pitcher plant seeds is an even mixture (by volume) of sharp sand and peat moss. Extra sphagnum moss can be mixed in, or even laid on top, to aid water retention. Add water as you mix and thoroughly hydrate the peat to the point that you can squeeze the soil and see water, but not to the point that you can make the soil a soup. I assume that because you have taken this job on you know never to use tap water or stale rain water. Fresh rain water, as long as you are in the right area, or de-ionised (reverse osmosis) or distilled water is ideal.

I answered a question on sarras just a couple of weeks ago and if you look back you may find it useful. Somebody had been sold a crown and was told by the salesman to just 'stick it in the garden'. Obviously a salesman not a gardener. What does the bank advert say? 'No it doesn't work like that.'

There are a couple of pictures on my home page including one of some babies. If you are going in for growing carnivores you may like to see them.

When you bought the seeds did they tell you that germination can take up to 3 years? (The usual method of propagation is taking offsets but seeds are fun if you have patience and the right conditions). Good luck and keep us informed. If you have never tried sarras before I fully expect more questions. LOL.

John.

thank you john for answering my question,on the packet it say's seedlings should appear in 6-8 weeks iv allso got to put them in the fridge for 4 weeks then bring them out put them in a saucer of water in a warm place with plenty of light. i will do what it says and let you know what happens, i have never grown seeds like this, patricia

Don't bother letting me know Patricias. I already know from 20 years experience of growing the things. Have fun.

Funkyfuschia- I saw something in a catalog that you may be intersted in. It's a called a carnivorous creature dome. It's kind of expensive $29.95 US dollars. I thought about buying it, but I don't know, 3 years just to germinate... Have you seen this dome, Sarraceniac? If so what are your thoughts on it?
Here's a link below:
http://www.whatonearthcatalog.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?randomizer=190442272&action=detail&item=AU0622

Serraceniac- If you didn't grow these from seed...how did you grow them? They're so little.

I read a comment about you using a bathtub for your carnivorous plants. Do you have a picture of it? There's an old tub at my old property, thinking about getting it... Do you keep the plug out for drainage? Or is it plugged up for extra soggy bogginess?

I did grow them from seed Tastey. Offsets are taken far bigger. The dome is just a trendy and expensive terrarium.

The 'new' old bathtub is not fully set up yet Tastey. Lousy summer in the UK for the last 2 years but it is a must for 2009. The peat/sand/perlite/sphagnum is in as are a few hostas and a small bull-rush but no carnivores yet. They are still in pots. The plug is left in for bogginess.

Wow, what patients you have! Thanks for the terrarium 411 :)