Improving Seed Set in Sarracenia purpurea

Question: Species: common purple pitcher plant. Light: full sun 8+ hours. Location: Knoxville, TN. How to ensure good seed crop? Last year pods had few mature seeds.

Answer

Hi Dex,

Seed production depends on pollination. Hand-pollinate during bloom to increase yield. Insects often do it, but rain can hinder them. Need two flowers open simultaneously, preferably on different plants, for cross-pollination. Past bloom for this year—study manual pollination in carnivorous plant books over winter; diagrams help.

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