Date: Mon, 25 May 1998 14:03:06 -0700 From: Doug Burdic <dburdic@presys.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg1775$foo@default> Subject: Re: Sarracenia Psittacina
June Billings wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Third time lucky trying to post this question.
>
> I'm a complete novice and after some expert advice for my Sarracenia
> Psittacina, and where better to look for advice than from this group.
>
> About 2 months ago my Sarracenia Psittacina went mad, it grew like crazy and=
>
> sent up about 30/40 new shoots the only thing is all the traps/pitchers are
> still very small, not even a tenth as big as the ones it had when I got it
> first. It's still sending up new shoots although at a slower rate. It's on a=
>
> sunny window ledge (inside) I keep it very moist, the sphagnum moss is
> growing
> well on the topsoil and in general it seems very happy except it hasn't had
> an
> insect in months because none of the traps are big enough!
>
> What I want to know is should the traps have developed or does that start
> to
> happen after all the shoots have grown. If this is a problem what should I
> do???????
>
> Any advice would be much appreciated.
>
> My email address is jbilling@ie.oracle.com
>
> Regards,
>
> June.
========================================================================
Hi June,
Of all the Sarracenia species, S. psittacina is the most difficult to
cultivate in my humble opinion. I've never seen it growing in nature,
but I've read that it is completely submerged at times and in the
summer, I really saturate it with water. Depending upon where you live
and the ambient humidity in your house, some people can get away with
growing these plants indoors. I can't and might suggest that it isn't
getting enough light, which would help explain the smaller pitchers.
This species has a tendency to form several growing points at the same
time which results in a plant with a "clumping" growth habit. They have
to be seperated on a frequent basis to get more of the energy directed
to one main growing point in addition to increasing your stock, which
will help in forming larger pictchers instead of several small ones at
different locations. My suggestion would be to increase the light, water
and humidity levels if at all possible.(terrarium? greenhouse?) You
mentioned 'top soil'..what kind of soil do you have it planted in? I
use a 2:1 peat/perlite mix for mine with good results.
Hope some of this gibberish helps.
Take care,
Doug
Douglas Burdic
dburdic@presys.com
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