Carnivorous Plant Nurseries Proprietor: Ross G Taylor 78b Aorangi Road Bryndwyr Christchurch Phone (03) 351 3217 Email: cpnurseries@hotmail.com

 

 

Growing Guide for your Carnivorous Collection.

Suitable for Sarracenia (Pitcher Plants), Dionaea (Venus Flytrap) and Drosera (Sundews).

 

 

Thank you for your purchase of our amazing Carnivorous Plants. Unlike many plants from other growers, these plants are VERY hardy, and have been allowed to experience the extremes of nature, so that when they come into your home, they will think it is heaven, and flourish. You can tell our plants because they all have the Carnivorous Plant Nurseries branding on the label, and come with our guarantee of hardiness.

 

The basic requirements for growing the selection of Carnivorous Plants that your have purchased are extremely simple. If you use the following guidelines to assist you, you should have healthy plants for years to come.

 

 

Water: is one of the most important requirements in growing any of the Carnivorous Plants that we offer. All you need to do is ensure that the plant does not ever dry out. In summer, it is best to keep it permanently sitting in about one centimetre of water. In winter, the plant should be kept just damp. Do not sit the plant in more that one centimetre of water, as this will cause the soil to go sour.

 

Sunlight: Full sun is essential if you want an excellent form of plant. Sappy growth will indicate insufficient light. An unheated greenhouse, conservatory or bay window is an excellent environment as long as there is a high level of sunlight. Don’t be afraid that the cold will affect the plants in the winter – they love a good cold winter, and a nice hot summer.

 

Soil: Should be acid. Peat moss or Sphagnum moss are ideal – no other moss being suitable. Avoid rotten peat by adding pumice to the mix. If the soil smells, the plant must be repotted. Alternatively, bags of ready made ‘Carnivorous Mix’ are available from Carnivorous Plant Nurseries. This mix is especially formulated to give your plant the best chance at good health available.

 

Fertiliser: NEVER fertilise your plant. This will burn the roots and kill it.

 

Dormancy: occurs in the coldest months of the year, i.e. autumn and winter. Pitchers will die back, and the Venus Flytrap will go into a smaller rosette. The plants will refrain from producing any other growth until the following spring. Do not attempt to force grow the plant – like people, plants need a break too. Cut back on watering ensuring that the soil is just damp. Cut off any dead growth. With pitcher plants, I normally cut off all traps in late July to allow for the fresh spring growth.

 

Miscellaneous Information:

 

·         Do not disturb the plant during autumn or winter

·         Watch for aphids or mites, which enjoy fresh new shoots. Spray with Malathion if infected.

·         Cut off all dead growth

·         For Sarracenia Purpurea alone, maintain a small amount of water in each trap to assist the plant in drowning its prey.

·         When mature, Sarracenia produce a beautiful flower, in the spring.

·         With the Venus Flytrap, if a flower develops, cut if off as soon as you spot it, as it will weaken the plant.