It has been a very long time since I've written to the list but I've been
faithfully lurking and reading my digests. The problem... I've had the
vast majority of my Sarracennia die this summer. I couldn't figure out
what was happening initially because the plants would look otherwise
healthy then die suddenly. After doing several autopsies, the most
current on an S. oreophila (that broke my heart) I've noted small worms
among the roots purple in color with an orange band 1/4 of its length
from the tip and an orange spot at it's tail end. They seem to be only
2-3cm in length and I have found babies. What I found about this S.
oreophila dying is that the rhizome actually rots and the leaves still
look healthy until it is too late and the rot creeps up the leaves. In
all the other deaths I had never noted these worms inside the rhizome but
around the roots. This time it was different the worms appeared to be
burrowing.
I have a large S. Purpurea ssp. venosa given to me by one of the members
of the Pac NW Carn. Plant Soc. that I recently noticed going downhill. I
dug it up and so far the rhizome appears intact but I pulled 5-6 of these
worms from around the roots. This is where all you come in. Can someone
give me an idea what these pests are and how they are spread? I placed
this plant into a bucket of water after I washed off as much soil as
possible. I'd like to know if it is possible to drown these worms or is a
more powerful measure called for? I have a new sterile pot with fresh
peat and sand ready for transplanting.
I hope someone can help as I've lost probably 20 Sarracenia this summer
and can't bear to lose any more.
Kirk Martin
Klamath Falls Oregon