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Building a Container Bog in Northern Michigan

Question: Planning a 100-gal above-ground bog in Leelanau County, MI. Plants: D. filiformis, D. intermedia, P. caerulea, P. grandiflora, S. leucophylla, S. purpurea, Venus flytraps (typical, 'Dente', 'Red Dragon'). Media: 50/50 sand & peat, live sphagnum top. Irrigation: underground tube. Feedback?

Answer: Excellent plan. Position butterworts in partial shade of Sarracenia. Place flytraps slightly higher (drier). Check water hardness—Midwest tap water often hard; consider rain backup. Sunny site, mulch heavily for winter (pine straw).

Follow-up: Rain barrel system (55-gal drum, funnels) is great backup. One thunderstorm fills it. Tap water okay short-term; long-term causes mineral buildup, affecting flytraps/sundews first.

Good Growing!

— Jeff Dallas, Sarracenia Northwest

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