Sunday, April 26, 2009

What conditions does a Purple Pitcher Plant need to grow?

Purple Pitcher is a plant what conditions does it need to live with?

What conditions does a Purple Pitcher Plant need to grow?
I'm not sure if you're looking for personal experience but I live in Zone 7b. During summers, I have my Purple Pitcher Plant (sarracenia purpurea) in a saucer slightly filled with rocks and water.





Basically, I use a small margarine tub and I fill it 3/4 of it with rocks (It could be marbles too if you'd like) and then I set my potted plant on top (I imagine yours came from Lowe's in a small red pot and a plastic cup on top - do remove the cup if you're putting it outdoors! It'll overheat!) and I fill it with water. I just basically have the water about a millimeter or two above the bottom of the pot. Nothing to drown it but keeps it moist. Even if the water level starts going down and doesn't touch the bottom of the pot, the evaporating water still keeps it humid around the pitcher plant.





If you also want to add to it, you could also get a spray bottle filled with rainwater and spritz the plant once a day. That's what I do with my Venus Fly Trap that's also set up in the same way. It adds to the humidity.





Whatever you do, you must never ever let them fully dry out. They are bog plants and must have the soil moist at all times but not so much during winter when they're dormant.





When winter comes, I put my Purple Pitcher Plant into the ground (In some garden bed so that it is out of the way from anyone walking on it) while still in pot. This prevents cold weather and the sun from rapidly freezing and thawing the small pot if it was sitting around somewhere out of the ground.





This all depends on where you live as well. I am lucky enough to live in a place where I can leave them outdoors all year long. They have to go through a period of dormancy or they could tire out and die. If you live in a place where the temperature constantly goes below freezing ( 32°F ) during winter or you live in a place where the temperature never gets cold enough, you'll have to find some other way to keep them dormant without losing them. I have no experience in this and don't want to give out any bad advice. However, if it goes below freezing a few times but not longer than a week, your plant should be okay. If you have some nights where it's supposed to be really bad, I'd bring them indoors for the night and then put them back out during the day until the temps aren't so bad.





When it comes to water, the advice is to use rainwater because tap water has certain chemicals that is harmful to the plant. What I do is I use a bucket to gather rainwater from a downspout and then just bottle it up with empty milk jugs so that I can quickly pour water into the saucer and water the plant when I need to. (The reason for the bottling is so that you dump out the excess water from the bucket and it prevents unneeded breeding grounds for mosquitos.).





You must also never fertilize your carnivorous plants. They get everything they need from the bugs.
Reply:The plants prefer an acidic medium such as sphagnum or peat moss, but will tolerate alkaline soils. The soil must be kept moist at all times during the growing period. Reduce the amount of water in the winter months, but do not allow the soil to dry out. Rain water should be used if possible. If you must use chlorinated water, allow it to sit out for 48 hours before use. Plants are usually difficult to grow indoors because they require large amounts of sunlight, which gives them their desirable red color.
Reply:Both of the previous answers gave sound advice. All I can add is a website. If you think you may be interested in growing Carnivorous Plants, then this is the site for you. Friendly people full of good advice.


Follow up question to my previous pitcher plant question?

I have one more question about my pitcher plant. It doesn't seem to be attracting any bugs. Both are about half-full with rainwater, which I did intentionally to stimulate its enzyme production. I fed each of the pitchers (there are 2 in my pot) a bug today, but they should be attracting bugs on their own. Why aren't they?

Follow up question to my previous pitcher plant question?
most pitcher plants attract bugs with nectar. the plant might be to young to produce nectar yet.


Venus fly trap, or pitcher plant?

I have a dog, who poops, which attracts lots of flies. Would a venus fly trap, or pitcher plant be better for catching flies? If you have other ways to get rid of flies, let me know.

Venus fly trap, or pitcher plant?
North American pitcher plants are gluttonous when it comes to attracting insects. One trap can practically fill up with them. With a flytrap it's one trap one kill.
Reply:clean up the poop
Reply:A pitcher plant will attract MORE flies. The way this plant operates is by secreting a sweet smelling liquid to attract flies. Your best bet (sorry to say) is to pick up the poop.
Reply:Pitcher plant. Get a big hanging one , with lots of pitchers.


And use fly paper as well. And, use the pooper scooper.

pomegranate

Where can I buy a Large Pitcher plant?

TThis is a carnivorous plant that grows in Borneo an Island in South east Asia. Often called The monkey cup pitcher plant. This plant will trap small birds, frogs, and even rats.


Is it possible to buy seeds to grow this plant--Thank you for any help on this issue

Where can I buy a Large Pitcher plant?
You can buy various live pitcher plants from Carolina Biological Supply Company at: www.carolina.com





This is just one of thei pitcher plants that are available...


https://www2.carolina.com/webapp/wcs/sto...
Reply:I can snag you all sorts of pitcher plants and other carnivorous types down in Onslow County of North Carolina. I'm going there in two weeks.
Reply:.more links at bottom of page.


definately the last search
Reply:You mean nepenthes raja - try borneo exotics - http://www.borneoexotics.com - they surply all over the world through different companies and they have won gold and silver gelte at Chelsea -
Reply:Check Ebay.


You probably can't get this particular plant, sorry, and even if you could, it'd be mighty finicky to try to grow outside of its native environment.


Can a pitcher plant get a little sunlight?

I hanged a pitcher plant outside the window which will get a little sunlight,is it ok or it will hurt the plant?

Can a pitcher plant get a little sunlight?
It should be fine, as long as the window doesn't get too hot. Most pitchers like sun as long as it's not too intense and they don't dry out. Keep it well watered and if need be mist it to maintain humidity. Watch it for a few days and if it shows any ill effects move it or filter the sunlight with a thin scarf or curtain.
Reply:Dont worry too much, i regularly have mine outside-in fact ive had 2 out all winter and they still have leaves with pitchers! They re in semi shade so get some direct sunlight. All plants are best gradually conditioned to new environments though, especially if high temperature differences etc. Watch out for rough winds which could shred them a little too and ensure they stand in water. Hope this helps.never fertilise with artificial fertiliser.


Good luck! Rob
Reply:It doesn't matter that much...as long as it always has plenty of water! I'm a Professional Landscaper...


How come a pitcher plant is a plant instead of an animal?

A pitcher plant is a plant which lives on insects and other bugs

How come a pitcher plant is a plant instead of an animal?
It's a plant because it has most of the biological properties associated with plants


a cell wall that contains cellulose (animal cells contain no cellulose)


cells photosynthesize (no known animal cells do)


It fixes carbon





There is a misconception that the pitcher plant, and the venus flytrap are carnivorous. They aren't, they trap insects, and the insects are than degraded by enzymes into smaller biological components which these plants then use.
Reply:anything which has plant cells and has xylem and phloem instead of vessels/fluid is plant
Reply:It produces chlorphyll.
Reply:no blood


no heart


no brain





same reasons for venus fly trap
Reply:A pitcher plant isa carnivorous kind of a plant .


It cannot make its own food-Animal behaviour


It cannot move from place to place-plant behaviour.


so its not fully a plant.it is also partly an animal.
Reply:a pitcher plant is an insectivorous plant. it has all the properties of plants and additional to that it can survive in nitrogen deficient soil, because it can use the protein from small insects. so whatever is te basic difference between a plant and an animal, same is the difference between a pitcher plant ( and other insectivorous plant) and an animal. hence, it is a plant!
Reply:because they can perform photosynthesis.
Reply:Well, for one, plants have double cell walls and animals have single walls. That's a huge difference!
Reply:Genetics.


Pitcher Plant Help?

I bought a Purple Pitcher plant from Lowes on Sunday. It was one of the large ones that costs ten dollars. I have been watering it frequently and keeping it in a terrarium (the one it came with). I thought they were supposed to have enzymes in the "pitchers". There doesn't seem to be any in them. Another thing. I have watering it frequently but it seems to be turning brown already, I have been keeping it by a window, but in this area it is cold, so we decided to move it away from the window. We have been keeping the lid on. It still seems brown, what should I do and why doesn't it have enzymes?

Pitcher Plant Help?
Here is just some information that may help you determine the best living conditions for your plant. Don't worry about the enzymes. Just make sure there is a little water in the pitcher part of the plant.





Sun: Nepenthes generally like bright light without much direct sun. About 50% sun or dappled shade is good. Plant lights often work well if they are broad spectrum and are kept just far enough away to prevent overheating or scorching. Thin, spindly plants or poor coloration are a sign of too weak a light. Sun burn usually appears as red or dead zones on the upper most growth, facing the sun or light.





Water: Do not allow Nepenthes to dry out completely. They benefit from moist media and occasional flooding to wash away any accumulated salts. Use relatively clean water such as rain, distilled or purified water. Tap water can be used in many localities if the water is low in salts. Low level chlorine does not seem to be a problem.





Humidity: While Nepenthes often tolerate low humidity, they usually stop making pitchers. Humid environments such as greenhouses, terrariums or even tents made from sticks and clear plastic bags can provide the needed humidity. Be sure to provide some ventilation to prevent overheating and stagnant air. Many people put their plants outdoors during warm, humid weather. Some shade must be provided and bring the plant(s) indoors before temperatures drop below 50°F.





Temperature: Most types thrive at temperatures between 55-95°F. Highland species such as N.burbidgeae, N. lowii, N. rajah, N. villosa and others prefer cool nights near 55-60 and days around 70-85°F.





Planting Mixes: There are many porous, low-fertility mixes that work. These contain tree fern fiber, chopped fir bark, long fiber sphagnum moss, peat moss and perlite. The media should be well drained and open enough so air reaches the roots. We use unmilled sphagnum with about 40% perlite mixed in for most Nepenthes. Combinations of the above ingredients also work well. Repot if the media breaks down, the plant dries out too quickly, or plant size indicates a bigger pot. Do not use clay pots as salts tend to build up in them. Nepenthes roots are typically blackish and fine. Vibrating the container is a good way to settle the media around the roots; pushing the media down can damage these fine roots. Water well after repotting; this will also help settle the mix around the roots. We do not recommend fertilizers added to media.





Feeding: If you are growing the plant where it cannot catch insects for long periods, you can add an occasional small insect such as a fly, a cockroach or a few very small insects to mature pitchers. This is not normally needed. Many types benefit from 1/8 teaspoon of Miracid™ fertilizer per quart of water, this solution should be added only to the pitchers until they are 3/4 filled.





General: After situating the plant where it is to grow, add a little water to the pitchers, about 1/2- 3/4 inch. In shipping or transporting, the fluid normally present gets dumped out and sometimes these pitchers will dry out and die. Refilling helps combat this. Pitchers and leaves die naturally as the plant grows and these should be trimmed off for best culture. Since many Nepenthes are vines, we suggest pruning the green stems back to encourage side shoots and a fuller plant. The vines can also be trained up a stake or left to hang low in an elevated container such as a hanging basket. Allowing the vines to descend often encourages the plant to put up new basal shoots, resulting in a prettier plant. It is best not to prune more than 30% of the foliage off the plant at any one time. If the plant fails to make pitchers, increase humidity. Some growers mist their plants with pure water but we do not advise this as it can encourage leaf spotting or diseases. Adding air to the water can help growth by reducing the chance of stagnation. Simply put the water in a clean tightly-covered container, half-filled, and shake it vigorously to aerate it before watering. Avoid dripping cold water on the leaves. Nepenthes can live for many years with proper care.

Business

My pitcher plant has a strange growth on it?

its a small pitcher plant, i just got it and i just put two 2' cool white flourescent lights on it and the old traps are dieing back and one very tall spike has grown up, it dwarfs the old traps and it doesnt look like a pitcher at all because its very flat(thin) and has a small hook at the top. it seems to grow about a half inch a day. im thrilled at the success of the plant but i dont want to mistake it for a flower stem because all other growth has ceased and i dont want it to flower.

My pitcher plant has a strange growth on it?
It is not a flower. That is a leaf. The pitchers grow that way when they don't get enough light. I know, I've had plenty of them. Try putting the plant closer to the light or visa versa. A grow light fluorescent bulb (or 2) might help. There is some debate as to which is the better spectrum of light so buy what you can find. Walmart actually has some decent prices on them. Major hardware stores carry them too. A nursery doesn't always have the best price but may have the best bulbs. Long narrow growth is the plants effort to reach for the light. It is weird the way the throat of the pitcher grows so narrow. Plants will always drop the leaves that are not adapted to the current lighting situation and grow new ones that can more appropriately absorb the change in lighting. Since this leaf is still growing, it will be able to adapt to any light that you change soon. If the lighting is not changed, but the humidity and water are optimal, the plant can last 6 months to 2 years depending on how much energy it had stored up. Those skinny pitchers will not capture any bugs and the plant will need a minimum of 1 bug a year to survive. It may take some trial and error to get close to an appropriate lighting situation.


Pitcher plant not growing pitchers?

bought a while ago a pitcher plant, its pitschers withered and since it hasnt grown any new ones, otherwis it looks healthy although it still quite small.





Any ideas on how to encourage it to grow its pitchers?

Pitcher plant not growing pitchers?
Hey Felipe,





I would like to grow some variety of pitcher plant or Venus fly trap myself. So, I have been looking at several types and growing needs. For me, they grow natural here in South Carolina outside, so I have some advantage.





The variety does matter, as they have different and very particular requirements for growth. Do not use TAP water, only rain water, and no fertilizers - typically requirements for all carnivorous plants. If you are using Tap water, stop.





They grow in poor soils, which is why they eat bugs (protein) as a way to supplement their nutrients.
Reply:Check this site for info on growing them





http://www.carolinacarnivores.com/html/c...


Pitcher plant problem?

I bought a pitcher plant a few weeks ago and the first pitcher which is produced is smaller than the previously produced pitchers.What can i do?

Pitcher plant problem?
just waite they will come you just bought the darn thing.give it some fertilizer wile your at it that will help it along alot.get the kind with the fish oil in it the fertilizer make sure it says fish oil added.it works great and the plants love it.
Reply:The pitchers can be of different sizes. I wouldn't be too perturbed if it is still alive and kicking!!!! Wait and see how the next few come along. If they are rapidly diminishing in size, then perhaps be a little concerned.





Enjoy your plant!


BB
Reply:Gardening is a practice in patience. Like everything else in nature, it will grow. Just make sure you keep it moist. Good luck!


Saturday, April 25, 2009

Pitcher plant?

When do i repot my nepenthes and how do i do so?

Pitcher plant?
This site has a how to grow them section:


http://www.pitcherplantfever.com/

new year lily

Pitcher plant???

would u ever grow a pitcher palnt in ur garden???


hwta are the advantages and disadvantages of it???


1st of all...will it ever grow in a garden???


juss temme ur opinion

Pitcher plant???
pitcher palnt????


would u ever like to grow an insetcivores plant in ur garden????


VERY FUNNY


ohk...lemme get out of the jokes..hm...pitcher plant is a very rare plant..so it is not available wherever u want...u must be living in african forests to get that plant..would u ever go to africa for that???


its better not to grow....i think u wanna get rid of flies in ur home...


but the thing is that it will only trap the insect that is close to it but not somewhere in a distance





a good question though...i made it a lil bit funnyyyyyy


hehehe


HEY!!!!!! i think u r my cousin...arent u????????
Reply:You can get pitcher plants at many garden centers...but they are probably not hardy in northern climates. They're sold as novelty house plants, like Venus fly traps. If you live in Florida, or the deep South, maybe you could keep one all year. Otherwise, you'll have to bring it in in the fall, would be my guess. Google them to find out what varieties you're likely to find, and what sort would do best in your climate zone. I think it would be interesting in the garden.
Reply:Best grown in/near a pond garden, they like boggy, peaty areas.





Like all carnivorous plants they are difficult to grow outside of the native habitat, you want to research to find out exactly what the requirement are of the pitcher plant your purchasing.





I've thought about, but don't currently have a space to set up for it.





Advantages ---- its a nearly unique specimen in your garden, its a challenge to grow, they're really quite interesting





Disadvantages - you may need to cover/ move it during winter, monitor water/soil conditions more often than other plants, etc. Contrary to what many think - they are NOT an effective insect control method. In fact they may attract more insects to an area.
Reply:I keep pitcher plants and VFTs in my garden in pots because my winters get too cold and I have to move them into the garage to hibernate. However, if your winters are mild then you can grow them in the ground provided your temps don't drop below 20 degrees. Pitcher plants are not rare and grow vigorously in the southern United States boggy areas. You can find them in garden centers and Wal-Mart. There are several different varieties of pitcher plant. Some are not very cold tolerant, but some are so the first thing you will want to find out is which one will grow in your area. Light is also an issue as some need shade and others full sun. They are bog plants so whether you keep them in a terrarium, pot, or the ground, you will need to keep them moist at all times. As for their advantages and disadvantages the only thing that comes to mind is that the advantages are that they are interesting and come in many colors. Disadvantages are that they require specific growing requirements. Here is some information that you may find useful.





carnivorous plant NoNos:


No meat of any kind. Meat rots and it will kill them


No force feeding or playing with the traps trying to get them to close.


No fertilizer of any kind. Pot carnivorous plants in a 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite only.


No straight tap water. Use filtered tap, aged tap or distilled and rain (preferred)





Here are some sites that will help you with just about everything you need to know about growing carnivorous plants. Good Luck and have fun. These sites are about all carnivorous plants and not just the Venus Fly Trap. Check them out, I think you will like them.





Information:


http://www.cobraplant.com/venus-flytrap....


http://www.doityourself.com/stry/carnivo...


Contains a Section on dormancy:


http://www.the-venus-flytrap.com/venus-f...





Expertvillage videos all about carnivorous plants:


Feeding and more:


http://www.expertvillage.com/videos/pitc...


Building a terrarium:


http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/vide...


Propagation and more:


http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/vide...


Pitcher Plant?

I went to Lowes the other day and saw a pitcher plant. Does anyone have any suggests on buying it or not? Can someone give me some facts or something about them?

Pitcher Plant?
I don't know a lot about plants, but I do know that a pitcher plant is a very cool plant. It's one of the several species of plants that are regarded as carnivorous.





The pitcher plant holds liquid inside of the 'pitcher' part of the plant. I believe this liquid is just water, but the plant may diffuse something else into it...I'm not certain. Anyway, when a bug crawls down the side of the leaved that form the 'pitcher' the walls are so smooth the bug cannot hold on and they fall into the liquid and drown. The plant extracts the nutrients from the bug and gains some of its nutrition in this way.





I do not remember where they originate from. I thought they were tropical plants, but perhaps not. After all...the Venus Flytraps are from SE United States, North Carolina I believe.....maybe South Carolina, but one of them, and I *think* this is the only place they grow.





Anyway, that is my 2¢. I know it doesn't really address your question specifically, but I thought the information might be helpful and if nothing else, intertesting.
Reply:Glad to help, and thank YOU too. :)





I think the responder just ahead of me gave a great answer too, but am appreciative just the same. Report It

Reply:Pitcher plants are just one of several carnivorous plants. They are not hard to care for once you know all the facts about them. Here are two "How Too" videos that will help you. They discuss everything from propagation to soil, water, light, and much much more. If you go through them you will have some idea if you want to get started with carnivorous plants. I put together a carnivorous garden for my 7 year old and that is when I found these videos. Good Luck and have fun.





Propagation and care information:


http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/vide...





Building a terrarium for carnivorous plants:


http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/vide...





If you don't want to build a terrarium then you can get an African Violet pot that has an outer pot for holding water and an inner pot that is porous for absorbing the water and they work great for the carnivorous plants because they like to stay moist and humid.
Reply:I thought they were cool . . . and then bought one. Next spring, I will donate it to our garden club plant sale. I'm not particularly fond of the rotten meat smell for the two weeks it "flourishes," but to each their own.


Pitcher plant?

Is not pitch plants suppose to have water in their pitchers I have pitcher plant and it do not have water in the pitcher.I have read in book that they are partly filled with water.I thought the water helps the plant digest the bugs.If they do need to have water should I put some in pitcher/leaf or will it eventually fill with water.





Sorry if it hard to read I am not good with english.

Pitcher plant?
I would probably spray the plant some when I watered it to simulate rain. I don't know where you live... but don't use tap water with all kinds of chemicals in it if that's what you have like we do here.
Reply:Put water in the pitcher, and a little on the soil. Its a rain thing.
Reply:i think pitcher plants usually get their water from the rain. so since your plant isn't outdoors it probably couldn't collect any rainwater. i'm not exactly sure but i think i heard somewhere that the insects just drown in the water but not get digested. you could put water but i'm not sure how that would turn out. maybe you should put it out in the rain...it probably doesn't even need to have water in the pitcher things.