How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

I am planning to repot two of my sarrracenia species, Leucophylla and Flava. They are currently in pots 4 inches tall in 2 inches deep of water (water tray).

The pitchers fall over often now, and was thinking of repotting and putting some support for the pitchers. My main concern is:

How deep do sarracenia roots want to be able to dig in?
What is the ideal depth of a sarracenia pot for best results?

I also noticed that the pitchers fall over after a heavy downpour of rain, I suspect the pitchers get filled too much with water and then they keel over. Do you guys have this problem?

TTFN
Arvin

Re: How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

Hi Arvin. Generally speaking the two species you are talking about require a 5-6 inch pot. Keep the water level around the 2 inch mark or perhaps a litle higher during the rowing season and keep them just moist when dormant.

To solve the falling pitcher problem try putting some small stakes around the outside of the pots and then use string to get a support. A more radical way (if it is from too much water) wouold be to put a drainage hole in the picture part way up. This will of course limit the amount of prey the picture can trap.

Re: How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

:smile: Hi! Arvin..
I also face same problem with u before…My neps’ pitcher always fall over after a heavy downpour of rain..So I use string to tie my pitcher with its branch…but must sure loosely and dun tightly..If not, will hurt the pitcher…..:tongue:

Re: How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

I just put my sarra at the edge of my house awning.In this way,they will get sunshine and protected from rain.If you can built a roof shelter perhaps from arcylic or glass would be great.Can get alot of sunshine and protected from rain.

Re: How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

Thanks very much for your replies guys! I actually have my pitchers already "supported" but sometimes they still fall over if they get filled up.

My main question though is how deep the potting mix should be for Sarracenias? The reason is that I am hoping to pot my bigger ones in a bigger pot that might allow them to root better or something.

Yup I am looking into a roof system that allows light to go through, maybe even just some plastic roof, main purpose is to prevent rain water from filling the pitchers up too much. Oh and strong winds does not help as well.

Thanks again :)

TTFN
Arvin

Re: How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

Arvin, most of my adult sarras are in pots which are about 12 - 14" high. Medium goes up to 6 " and the pots are submerged in water to the depth of 3 to 4 ".

Sarras roots are not very invasive. The height of the pots help to shoulder the weight of the pitchers when they get too much rain water in them. But as they grow higher, it`s difficult to support. Mine reaches dazzling heights of 24" in captivity. I know they`ll grow much better in the natural environment tho.

I think you know the basic do`s & don`t`s rite :

don`t cover the sarra growing point with medium

don`t mollycoddle them

bright sunlite even after repotting ( unless there is major root movement or snapping ), coz they are hardy

good air movement

Re: How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

It would be good for your sarracenia's pots to be at least 7 inches tall, potting media should be 5-6 inches tall. Because sarras don't make an extensive root systems like other CPs such as cobras, there isn't much need of a lot of soil.

As for the toppling over of the pitchers, the easiest way is to lean them on something, like the wall.:smile:

Cheers

Re: How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

Just wanna share this, hope it helps. The stakes selling at garden centers are very useful for keeping tall keeling plants or vines in place. I use this for my vanilla vine. Sorry for the crappy diagram :spinning:
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4517/stakes.jpg

Re: How deep does Sarracenias want it?
 

I seen such "stakes" at Taiwan CPer... But, not malaysia. May I know where can I get it? And roughly cost how much?