Question
Hi guys,

I made the potential mistake of repotting all my carnivorous plants in Schultz's peat moss.  The bag I bought says contents:  Sphagnum peat.  I've read that some users have had problems using this brand as it may contain additives or contaminated with other chemicals.  My question is, how do I tell if a plant is starting to suffer from the wrong type of soil?  I just noticed that the sarracenias that I repotted seem to be browning at the edges.  I don't want to wait to find out the soil is wrong....but then again, I don't want to waste good peat.  The sundews and flytraps seem to be doing fine so far, but then again, that might simply be because their roots are shallower (still surrounded by old peat) and haven't come into contact with the Schultz peat yet.  If it's wrong, I'll switch to the big bales.  Thanks.

Johnny

Answer
Hi Johnny,

In your situation I would transplant your plants to new media made from bale peat moss.  We've just heard from too many people that have killed their plants this way.  Shultz and Miracle-gro both have fertilizer in their small bags of peat moss.

Flytraps will start producing small underdeveloped traps as the fertilizer gets to them.  Sundews just die.  Sarracenia start producing brown on new growth around the edges, and turn dark green and will have stunted growth.  They take the longest to start showing problems.  Mexican butterworts and Nepenthes don't mind a little fertilizer in their soil, so they would be fine.

No need to waste your peat, however.  Just mix it into some soil for houseplants, or into a garden.  Those plants will benefit.

Good Growing!

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