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Cross-Pollinating Carnivorous Plants and Grow Light Electricity Costs

Question: How to pollinate/crossbreed carnivorous plants without insects? Can you cross totally different species (e.g., Venus flytrap × Sarracenia)? How much electricity do fluorescent lights use and cost over long periods?

Answer

Hi Yaredis,

Genetic barriers limit crosses to same genus: sundews × sundews, Sarracenia × Sarracenia—but not Sarracenia × Nepenthes. Learn pollination techniques from books with diagrams: The Savage Garden (Peter D'Amato) and Carnivorous Plants (Adrian Slack).

Electricity cost depends on local rates. Find your kWh charge and fixture wattage. Typical 2-tube shoplight uses 80W. Utility websites often have calculators.

Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
www.cobraplant.com

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