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Post by 4pygmies on May 28, 2007 10:42:53 GMT 1
For the first time ever all three of my little insectivore plants have survived the winter. I think I should repot them but as I've killed each one I repotted before I think I need help! I've used a special compost - they died, I used a potting compost with grit added - it died, I've used a potting compost with acid compost added - it died. I only water with rainwater, I keep them on the cool side - any thoughts please?  |
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Post by sweetleaf on May 28, 2007 10:50:12 GMT 1
Dont repot! They dont get their food from the compost anyway, and they look reasonably happy in the pot size they are in.  |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 28, 2007 10:56:58 GMT 1
AHA! How cunning.....
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Post by cheerypeabrain on May 28, 2007 21:18:55 GMT 1
I was considering repotting mine too so thanks for this thread! One of mine didn't survive the winter, but the smaller one has, and it has a flower (I think)....it's a loooooong stalk with a ball on the end...unless it's growing a balloon....some of the tubule-thingy's have died back but there are lots of new ones forming...is it unusual for the saracenias (purpurea I think) to flower?.
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Post by sweetleaf on May 28, 2007 21:27:07 GMT 1
Ive never seen one flower but that doesnt mean they dont if they are happy. All the more reason not to disturb it, I think. |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 28, 2007 21:39:08 GMT 1
My fly trap has started to flower (I assume), the sarracenia is just sort of there......but not looking like it will expire at any moment as it usually does after winter....and the other tall thing whose name totally escapes me is the same.....not really thriving but not really looking needy.
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Post by Sleepy on May 28, 2007 22:10:03 GMT 1
Ive never seen one flower but that doesnt mean they dont if they are happy. All the more reason not to disturb it, I think. I'm not sure I would agree with you Sweetie. Plants often flower only when under stress. Many pot plants will not flower after you repot them as they luxuriate in stretching their feet. But will flower when bordering on being potbound. African Violets flower when deprived of water. The flower is an act of reproducing, and a plant will often do it best when it thinks it's life is in danger in an attempt to continue it's genetic line. |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 28, 2007 22:13:17 GMT 1
oh 'eck? What shall I do then?
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Post by Sleepy on May 28, 2007 22:16:13 GMT 1
oh 'eck? What shall I do then? Oh I'm not contradicting Sweetie's advice. They gain their nutrients from prey and not via the roots, so it is best, as Sweetie says, to leave it as it is - IMHO. However, I am not houseplant or carnivorous plant expert. |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 28, 2007 22:44:09 GMT 1
Nor am I! When I pulled the dead bits of the fly trap off to tidy it up, there were bits of dead fly hanging off it....bleah...they don't seem to get rid of the fly's heads very well.........
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Post by madonplants on May 28, 2007 23:50:03 GMT 1
I am getting into 'meat eating' plants a bit (having failed before hand) and most sites say to repot each spring, but not to over pot. Going to make the plunge again, now we are settled. This appears to be a good site for general info. www.steveconrad.co.uk/index.htmlKeith Just been looking again and found this, which seems quite good as well. |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 29, 2007 7:32:02 GMT 1
They're really interesting plants aren't they Keith? The witch always recommends this site: www.littleshopofhorrors.co.ukI think it's very good too. People say they're not attractive plants but I don't understand that, the Sarracenia flava - the tall pitcher type, are really elegant and beautiful I think. There were one or two really good stalls at the GWLive last year so I'm definitely visiting them this year. Their displays were stunning (and cheap! ;D) |
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Post by madonplants on May 29, 2007 11:07:10 GMT 1
They're really interesting plants aren't they Keith? The witch always recommends this site: www.littleshopofhorrors.co.ukI think it's very good too. People say they're not attractive plants but I don't understand that, the Sarracenia flava - the tall pitcher type, are really elegant and beautiful I think. There were one or two really good stalls at the GWLive last year so I'm definitely visiting them this year. Their displays were stunning (and cheap! ;D) So I will wait until then to buy some plants, as we are still hoping to go! I have only tried the VFT, but always wanted to try the pitcher type ones. Nearly bought one a couple of weeks ago, when we were garden table and chairs hunting, so maybe will wait a while longer. Can't remember which one it was, but the pitchers hung down, so plant would have to go on a shelf or something! Keith |
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Post by madonplants on May 29, 2007 11:20:26 GMT 1
That's it. Anyone tried one? Where do you put it? At the G/C they were as hanging baskets! Keith
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Post by sweetleaf on May 29, 2007 11:23:22 GMT 1
Sounds like a warm bathroom, or Kitchen would be good Keith as it needs humidity.
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Post by 4pygmies on May 29, 2007 14:29:34 GMT 1
A nepenthes. I had a beautiful one which I bought for tuppence from the "half dead but we can't be bothered to try and save it" section of my GC and I put it in a hanging basket in my conservatory. It did really well for about 3 years and had lots of new pitchers but it died last winter after a particularly cold spell. It was a tragedy but I'm over it now....
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Post by madonplants on May 29, 2007 15:07:37 GMT 1
A nepenthes. I had a beautiful one which I bought for tuppence from the "half dead but we can't be bothered to try and save it" section of my GC and I put it in a hanging basket in my conservatory. It did really well for about 3 years and had lots of new pitchers but it died last winter after a particularly cold spell. It was a tragedy but I'm over it now.... So people do buy those plants that are nearly on there last legs, do they?  Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 29, 2007 20:16:37 GMT 1
I always look at them and I've had a goodly number of bargains really - quite often they just need repotting or planting out and they flourish. The Nepenthes was one of my best buys - down from £25 to under a fiver as I recall! I can't bear to see a good plant suffer......
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Post by cheerypeabrain on May 31, 2007 20:31:42 GMT 1
Is this my saracenia's last blaze of glory then?  |
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Post by sweetleaf on May 31, 2007 20:45:57 GMT 1
No, of course not, they flower in spring, thats all, just like a lot of other plants do, it doesnt mean it will die. |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 31, 2007 21:46:27 GMT 1
If it has new pitchers forming, Cheery, it sounds very well. I'm reluctant to repot mine as they died afterwards....even though I used the proper compost. Apparently neither ericacious or peat compost are a good idea. Which makes things a bit complicated.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Jun 1, 2007 20:15:27 GMT 1
I think mine's in John Innes No 3/ fine grit mix.....  |
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