Question
QUESTION: I have a sarracenia purpurea venosa and it's of flowering size and has several growth points. Because the leaves of the purpurea are so short and stout, they block the growth points from getting sunlight. As a result, the leaves growing out of a few of the points are long, lanky, and almost green. As they grow, the grow between existing leaves and only occasionally are able to find their way out of the shadow of the older ones. Should I divide the plant next year or is this normal for this species? Will this cause any sort of problems for the plant having its growth points light starved like this? Thank you for your help.

ANSWER: Hi Jonathan,

What you have happening here is really common for purpureas once they start forming clumps.  The new growth points will over time develop bigger, more normal pitchers in the clump.  They just start off as those skinny ones.  We have some older plants that have massive clumps that have formed over time.  However...

Sarracenia purpurea is infamous for developing fungal infections, especially subspecies venosa, since these big clumps shade the inner parts of the plant from the sun.  I would say yes, go ahead and divide next spring.  This will open up the rhizome more and give you more smaller normal looking plants.

If you get a chance send me a photo of this plant.  I curious to see what it looks like.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com

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Sarracenia purpurea ve  

Sarracenia purpurea ve   QUESTION: Here is the photo.

Answer
Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for sending the photos.  It was very helpful to see the plant.

You don't need to do anything.  Your plant is healthy and normal.  It's also not as large as I thought it was, so I wouldn't divide yet.  Everything you're seeing in appearance is very normal for purpurea.  Just cut off any dead material for hygiene.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com