> I planted seeds of this pitcher plant in live sphagnum last
> spring. The seed was from Chilterns. Most germinated but the
> seedlings were short lived. I am determined to grow this thing and
> I'm ready o try again with a fresh batch of seed. Does anyone have
> any recommendations based on experience? Since I have seen this
> plant in habitat, growing in what seemed to be fairly rich soil,
> perhaps it n eds more nourishment than other pitcher plants.
I wonder why your seedlings died? You were off to a good start
germinating them, and Sarracenia usually aren't a problem. I have
never used Sphagnum at all - I just use peat and sand (I'm sure
there's nothing wrong with using Sphagnum, but it isn't compulsory!).
I can only think that your seedlings might have dried out or got too
hot.
I planted a packet of Chiltern's S. oreophila 2 years ago. I got lots
of them. I transplanted them a year ago, but for some reason they
didn't do too well during the last year - hopefully this year will be
better, as I won't be disturbing them. At the same time as
transplanting the seedlings, I sent some to list contributor Peter
Cole, and the last I heard they were doing very well, so I don't know
what I did wrong with mine. My theory at the moment was that I
transplanted them before Spring had really started, and then didn't
give them any special heat or humidity - I suspect that some of the
roots died.
I'll soon have to separate all the seedlings from the Sarr seed that
Barry Meyers-Rice sent out a year ago, so I'll try to take more
care with these.
-- Clarke Brunt (clarke@brunt.demon.co.uk)