Fixing Spindly Sarracenia: Remove Old Pitchers and Increase Sunlight

Question

I have a Pale Pitcher that I repotted this year (it's in its third year of growth). I left most of the old brown pitchers from winter. The new pitchers are spindly and drooping. Also, my Purple Pitcher has bloomed already, but it is not making new pitchers. A few of last year's pithcers still show purple. I live in west central Texas.

Answer

The spindly growth may be from lack of sufficient sunlight. If you have your plants in shade or even partial sunlight, move them to a location where they can get full sun, six or more hours of direct sunlight. The spindly growth might also be from the over abundance of older pitchers, which are blocking sunlight to the new growth. Ideally, you should have cut off the old brown pitchers before new growth emerges. In any case, cut off the older pitchers. This will help out your plants a lot.

Do the same with the purple pitcher. Cut off any leaf that is turning brown. If the pitchers are crowding the growing point, you may not see the new growth. With this species, you can leave a couple pitchers on for photosynthesis, but you should definitely cut away the majority of them.

For more information about trimming your Sarracenia, watch episode 5 of Ask the Carnivorous Plant Guys:
https://growcarnivorousplants.com/monthly-care/archives/category/ask

Good growing!
Jacob Farin