Rescuing a Declining Nepenthes maxima from a CP Society Meeting

A grower got a young N. maxima (two plants, 1 span) at a Bay Area CP meeting. After a day in a propagation dome outside, leaves browned. Moved to NE window, tray method in ceramic pot. One plant half brown, only one gree

Repotting Young Nepenthes (hamata, rajah, hybrid): Pot Size and Watering Trick

A grower asked about using African violet pots for young N. hamata, N. rajah, and a hamata hybrid to reduce watering frequency. African Violet Pots Not Ideal Jacob Farin: these species like soil slightly wetter than Afr

Growing Cephalotus (Australian Pitcher Plant) in Portland, Oregon

A Portland, OR grower asked if they should get a Cephalotus and grow it outside. Indoor Growing Recommended Jacob Farin: read care sheet (Cobra Plant). For Portland, grow indoors. He has one in a west windowsill thrivin

Drosera capensis on a Windowsill: Light, Humidity, and Phoenix Heat

A growers D. capensis recovered from fungicide damage in a terrarium, now has a plantlet. Wants to try bottle terrarium then acclimate to east windowsill (4.5 hrs sun). Asked if light sufficient, and about Phoenix summer

Venus Flytrap Double Flower Stalks and Sarracenia Seedling Care

A Southern California grower had 4 of 30 flytraps producing two flower stalks each, and asked if this is normal. Also asked about Sarracenia seedling pests. Double Flower Stalks Jacob Farin: common mutation from short w

Pruning an Overgrown Nepenthes spathulata in a Terrarium

A growers N. spathulata is crowding a terrarium; wants to prune for compact bushy shape. Wrong Plant for Terrarium Jacob Farin: N. spathulata is a giant species (Indonesian equivalent of N. truncata). Nearly impossible

Ground Oak Stumps as Peat Substitute for Bog Garden? Not Recommended

A grower wanted to use hurricane-ground oak stumps (mixed with topsoil) instead of peat for an acid bog with carnivorous plants, orchids, ferns, hibiscus. Why It Wont Work Christopher: bark/topsoil may contain fertilize

Terrarium Plant Selection: Expert Recommendations and Philosophy

A San Jose grower with an Exo Terra greenhouse terrarium (two 26W fluorescents, south-facing shaded window) asked which plants would thrive, acknowledging the experts anti-terrarium stance. Philosophy: Carnivorous Plant

New Purple Pitchers Turning Red: A Good Sign!

A California growers Sarracenia purpurea (from death cube) has two new leaves same height as old pitchers but narrower, turning purplish-red. Old pitchers are green. Asked if color change is good/bad. Purple Is the Goal

Growing Woolly Sundews in Phoenix: Challenges and Recommendations

A Phoenix grower with a terrarium asked about woolly sundews: summer dormancy, light (two 100W fluorescents), water level in 4-inch pot, and beginner species (wants D. falconeri). Woolly Sundew Difficulties Jacob Farin:

Black Mold, Sarracenia Leaf Curl, and Nepenthes Identification from Australia

An Australian grower (Corey) asked about black mold spreading from sundews/Sarracenia to Nepenthes, leaf curl on Sarracenia, and ID of five Nepenthes. Black Mold Treatment Common indoor mold. Treat with sulfur fungicide

Venus Flytrap Summer Heat and Winter Dormancy in Phoenix, AZ

A Phoenix grower asked if Venus flytraps survive 4-5 months of 100°F+ highs, and if winter highs of 60-70°F/lows 30-40°F provide sufficient dormancy. Heat Tolerance Jacob Farin: flytraps wither above 100°F sustained; 11

Venus Flytrap Flower to Seed: Complete Guide

A first-time grower with a flowering Red Dragon Venus flytrap under 1000W lights asked about seed collection (planting depth, etc.) vs. leaf cuttings. Seed Collection Process Wait for flowers to die, scape to blacken (

Preventing Mosquito Breeding in Carnivorous Plant Water Trays

A grower with multiple Sarracenia and flytraps in a large shared water tray asked how to prevent mosquito larvae. Idea: add fish. Better Solutions Mosquito dunks (Bti bacteria) – kill larvae, safe for mammals, birds, f

Nepenthes ventricosa Lower Stem Splitting: Good Sign

A growers 2-year-old N. ventricosa had a fattening, splitting lower stem (brown portion) one month after repotting. Upper green part fine. Asked why. Basal Shoot Emergence Jacob Farin said its likely a new shoot emergin

Propagating Drosera capensis from Leaf Cuttings: Correct Method

A grower placed an older leaf on peat/sand, covered both ends, hairs up, and asked if this is correct and how long it takes. Right Idea, Use Healthier Leaves Jacob Farin confirmed the method but noted younger, healthier

Buying Carnivorous Plants for Zone 9: Cold Hardiness Explained

A California Zone 9 grower asked if plants rated Zone 7-8 will survive in Zone 9. Zone Ratings = Cold Tolerance Only Jacob Farin confirmed: Zone 7-8 plants easily handle Zone 9 winters. No winter protection needed; grow

When to Move Asian Pitcher Plants and Sundews Outdoors in New York

A Hudson Valley, NY grower asked when to move Nepenthes and sundews outside as weather warms. Wait for Consistent Warmth Christopher advised waiting until all frost danger passes and nights stay above 50°F (ideally 60°F

Rescuing a Venus Flytrap from a Death Cube: Acclimation Guide

A grower bought a tiny Venus flytrap in a death cube terrarium at Lowes, knows it needs full sun, 1:1 peat/perlite, and winter dormancy, but asked how to acclimate it from the terrarium to normal growing. Acclimation Pr

Dormancy Break for Drosera filiformis tracyi and California Sunset in Maryland

A Maryland grower asked when dormant Drosera filiformis ssp. tracyi and D. × California Sunset would resume growth after winter outdoors, and if fungicide overuse was a problem. Spring Revival 60°F), rapidly at 70-80°F.