Question
QUESTION: Hi Jeff and Jacob

  I have a couple of questions, the first is more out of curiosity than anything else

  The other day, I was trimming some of my Sarracenia, when I notice that one pitcher was stuffed with what looked like pieces of grass. Curious I cut off the pitcher and opened it up expecting to find an insect pupa of some sort. I didn't, the only think I found was some old carcasses of insects that have go to meet their maker. Do you have any idea what might have stuffed this pitcher with grass ?

Second, is it possible for temperate CP to get too much sun? We recently removed a tree that would block my outdoor bog for a few hours a day in the morning, now my plants can receive as much as 12 hours of direct sunlight a day. I have noticed that some plants, in particular the sundews seem to be experiencing sunburn. The tree was cut down early in the spring so the plants have not had a sudden change to more sunlight.

One final question. Even though my plants always received eight plus hours of sunlight, some Sarracenia pitchers develop curves in them. For example I have an leucopyhlla that has something of an "S" curve in it, I also have a Sarracenia alata x minor that will not grow straight pitchers, but are somewhat bow shaped and seem to have weak bases that are easily toppled. The pitchers other than these curves in them seem to be otherwise normal. I have checked for insects, and have treated my plants with the Ortho systemic insecticide that you recommend as well a topical spray of Neem oil to combat fungus.

Thanks

90 miles north of NYC

Nicole

ANSWER: Hi Nicole,

It sounds like your Sarracenia had and Eryx moth trying to set up a cocoon in the pitcher.  This is a natural pest Sarracenia have in the east.

Too much sun can occur if plants are next to a building that is reflecting sun.  We found this out the hard way with some landscaping we did next to our house.  We have several perennials there (not cp) that burned, while a few feet away the same plants were fine.  It can also happen if the weather changes too suddenly.  We also got treated to that this year where we had a ridiculous cold spring and early June.  Locals were calling it "Juneuary".  Then one week later in late June, 95-100 degrees.  We saw burn on all kinds of plants, mostly on tender new growth.  Sarracenia fared the best.  Darlingtonia were a bit more sensitive.

The curved pitchers sound like inconsistent watering.  Has the bog experienced any dry periods followed by lots of water?  If not the sudden temperature changes might cause this also.  Do you have a picture you could send us?

Good Growing!

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

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Sarracenia Lucophylla   QUESTION: Attached is the picture you requested

Your question about uneven watering had me thinking about the water level in my bogs. Both bogs were made using this pond
http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/039694/039694079184md.jpg
As you can see, it has two levels. When I was setting up the first pond, you suggested that I put the drainage holes at the top of the lower level and fill the lower level with lava rocks. Which I did and that seemed to work fine. As I said, this year we took down a tree that shaded the bog for a number of hours every day. I was wondering if the water could be evaporating faster than it had before because of the added sun. Should I consider moving the drainage holes higher next spring ?

And one more question. Is there anything other than insects that could cause the typical insect damage on Sarracenia. Some of my pitcher are exhibiting the curled leaves, but I am not seeing any insects. I have sprayed using the Garden Safe fungicide whose active ingredient is neem oil.

Thanks for the help

Nicole
90 miles north of NYC  

Answer
Hi Nicole,

It's very possible that water is evaporating more quickly.  Moving the holes up would help.  For now you may just need to monitor the soil moisture by putting your fingers into the peat to see what it feels like.  I have a bog garden built out of an old bathtub, and I have to do that.  It can be deceiving at times how wet it is or isn't.

Besides aphids, Sarracenia can occasionally get scale and thrips.  You might need to lift one out of the soil and look at the rhizome to see if anything is attacking the growing point that you can't see above ground.  If you find something, then you can spray that area directly.  Insecticide might not be getting down there from the surface.

Good Growing!

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