Carnivorous Plants: Summer Growth & Winter Dormancy
Summer Growth
If your plant has been sitting in soil over the winter period, and if
tap water was used, then it may be necessary to change the soil. Once
the plant has been re-potted, the pot can then be placed in a tray of
water about 12 millimeters to 25 millimeters. However, a tray of water
should not be used for Nepenthes, Butterworts and some
Drosera.
As a guide to a plant good condition:
- Venus Fly Traps develop red traps as summer approaches.
- Albany Pitcher Plant will develop a red Tinge around the rim of the
pitcher, and on the lid
- New leaves will appear on Sarracenias in spring
- Nepenthes should have both healthy green leaves and pitchers with open
lids.
- A sick looking plant as a rule should have its dead laves and
pitchers cut off.
- Droseras will usually go dry with no droplets of water on the
tentacles if the humidity or water is decreased.
- Pinguiculas or Butterworts will usually go brown and rot if the plant
is sitting in water, as well Nepenthes.
Winter Dormancy
Generally decrease the amount of overhead watering; and if the plant
is sitting in a tray of water, then decrease that water level too.
As a guide to a plant good condition:
- In our hot houses, no plants, except Utricularia, are sitting in
water during the winter period.
- Venus Fly Traps can be taken out of the soil, all leaves trimmed off
and the bulb placed in a refrigerator until the emergence of Spring.
- Most Carnivorous Plants can withstand quite cold conditions; an
exception to this is the Nepenthes.
- If you have your plants in a terrarium then leave the lid off and
allow the soil to dry out a little; close the lid and leave it alone
until spring.
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