How to Grow Pitcher Plants

How to Grow Pitcher Plants

A pitcher plant

Pitcher plants are carnivorous plants able to use their tube-shaped
leaves to trap and digest insects.[1] The insects are drawn in by a
sweet nectar and visual lures. The inside of the tube is often too
slippery for the insect to climb out. When the insects fall into the
pool of water on the inside, the insects are digested by enzymes or
bacteria. The reason these plants formed this method of seeking
nutrition is because their native soils lack minerals or are very
acidic, and this method enables the plants to compensate by getting
nutrients from insects. It's possible to grow these fascinating plants
at home, just follow the steps.

!! Steps !!

_ Research the requirements of each species.
Carnivorous pitcher plants can be found all over the world, so the
requirements to grow them vary according to the region they are
sourced from. Read a few quality books on the subject to give you a
solid understanding of the plants and their needs. A brief overview
of the different types of pitcher plants follows:

* Nepenthes_, tropical pitcher plants, monkey cups - There are about
120 species in the _Nepenthes_ genus and they grow in the Old
World tropics (mostly in the Malay archipelago). Most of these
species will require high humidity, lots of water, and moderate to
high light levels (similar to orchids).[2] These are not ideal
"beginner" plants.[3]
_Sarraceniaceae_ - This family of pitcher plants grow in the New
World and can be broken down into three genera (groups of species):

* _Sarracenia_ - All of these species grow in North America. They
require require a distinct summer and winter, strong, direct
sunlight, and lots of water.

* _Darlingtonia_ - These species are limited to Oregon and northern
California and are difficult to grow. The roots need to be kept
cooler than the rest of the plant because they grow in
environments with cold running water.

* _Heliamphora_ - All of these species are native to South America.
They are also difficult to cultivate.

* _Cephalotus_ - There's only one species in this genus (_Cephalotus
follicularis_) and it can be grown like any subtropical plant.

* _Bromeliaceae_ - This is the same family that contains pineapples.
One or two species in this family are believed to be carnivorous.
They don't form the characteristic pitcher shape.

Obtain the plants. Once you've decided which species you're best
prepared to grow, start looking for a source. Your best bet is to
find a reputable greenhouse and purchase a healthy pitcher plant
from there. Ask the assistants for additional tips on growing that
particular species.

* It's also possible to order pitcher plants online, but they can
get damaged and die during shipping.

* Although it's possible to grow pitcher plants from seeds or
cuttings, this is not advised for beginners.

Potted pitcher plant seedlingsPlace the plant in a sunny
location receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight. Ideal
temperatures range between 60ºF to 85ºF (15.5ºC to 29.6ºC).
The beautiful coloring of the pitcher plant will be much more
intense if the plant receives at least a couple hours of
bright, full sunlight each day, but will also grow reasonably
well in partial shade. Most people grow pitcher plants in a
greenhouse environment or in a terrarium.[4] You can make an
inexpensive version using a saucer and a soda bottle; cut off
the top of the bottle and place upside down over the plant on a
saucer.[5] The garden will only be suitable where it replicates
the exact environment where pitcher plants grow naturally.

* Inadequate lighting is a common cause of killing pitcher plants in
the homegrown environment. If you don't have a greenhouse or
humid, sunny space for the plants, consider using artificial
lighting. Illuminating with several cool or warm white fluorescent
bulbs placed 12" (30 cm) from the plant will assist.[6]

* Only place hardier pitcher plants in a window sill, and even then,
only if you have adequate sunshine and humidity. While bathrooms
are wonderfully humid, their windows are usually too dark to
provide the amount of light required by the pitcher plant.[7]
Hardier pitcher plants include sundews, bladderworts, and
butterworts. A Venus flytrap probably won't like being situated on
a windowsill.[8]

* Air-conditioning makes the room too dry for pitcher plants.

* After situating the plant appropriately, fill the cups about 1/2-
3/4 inch (1.2 cm to 1.9 cm) full of water to keep the inside
moist. During travel, the fluid already present in the cups
sometimes falls out, and if the cups dry out, the plant could die.

* Provide good drainage soil. A good soil is
one composed of a one to one mixture of peat moss and perlite or
combine Sphagnum moss, charcoal and orchid bark. The type of soil
and the ratios, however, should be researched very carefully for
the type of pitcher plant you have. If your pitcher plant doesn't
like the soil, it won't thrive and will die. Don't use potting mix
or fertilizers – pitcher plants are primed for poor soil and
rich soil will be an overload.

* Keep the soil very wet during the growing season, from May through
October. A drained pot should sit in 1 inch (2.5 cm) of standing
water. Don't let the plants dry out completely. Make sure the
water you use is either rainwater or distilled, with low levels of
salts. Aerating the water before watering the plant can help the
plant grow. To aerate the water, fill a container half full with
water, seal it, and shake it vigorously.

* Keep the habitat humid. Pitcher plants can tolerate low humidity,
but they usually stop making pitchers if the humidity is
inadequate. About 35 percent humidity is fine for the plants.
Greenhouses and terrariums can provide the needed humidity, but be
sure to provide the proper ventilation so the air does not
overheat or become stagnant.

* Feed the plant. If the pitcher plants are
growing somewhere without access to insects for an extended period
of time, you can add a few small insects, such as a fly, or a
cockroach, to a mature plant. However, this is usually not needed.
Many types benefit from 1/8 teaspoon of Miracid fertilizer per
quart of water, but this solution should be added only to the
pitchers until they are 3/4 filled.[9]
Maintain the pitcher plant's well-being. Besides watering, humidity,
and feeding, keeping the pitcher plant in good shape requires that
you ensure it has room to grow and is protected:

* Clip off all the dead leaves with scissors when the winter dormant
period begins. Their dormant period varies by species, but is
normally about 3-5 months during the winter. During this time,
they should be kept cool and drier than normal.

* Protect outdoor pitcher plants. Leave any developing pitchers in
the pot or provide thick mulch of leaves and cover with plastic or
a container in hardiness zones six to eight during the winter
months when left outside.

* Divide and re-pot the plant when the pitcher comes out of dormancy
before rapid growth for new plants and begin the cycle over again.
Pitcher plants can live for several years if cared for properly.

!! Video !!

!! Tips !!

* Buy only nursery-grown plants for best results. Contact your local
nursery for availability or order online through carnivorous plant
suppliers.

* Move the potted plant to the basement or other cool area during
the months of dormancy in frigid areas and keep the soil moist.
Best temperatures range around 40 degrees during this period of
three to four months.

* Pitcher plants can be divided and repotted as the plant is coming
out of dormancy, but this must be done before vigorous new growth
begins.

* When growing inside place the plant in a southern exposure window
or provide 12 to 14 hours of artificial light.

* Tropical pitcher plants, such as the Nepenthes or monkey cups need
a greenhouse to grow properly. A greenhouse that successfully
grows orchids produces the right environment for the Nepenthes.

!! Warnings !!

* Pitcher plants range in height from 4" (10 cm) long (parrot
pitcher plant) to more than 3" (7.5 cm) tall (yellow pitcher
plant). Be careful to choose a variety that suits your
requirements.

* Don't use potting garden soil - it will kill the plant.

* Never fertilize a pitcher plant; the plant gets its nutrients from
the bugs it catches. If feeding any insects, keep this to a
minimum because too many insects can cause the plant to wither and
die.

* Never let the pitcher plant's soil dry out, even during dormancy
keep water in the drain saucer.

* Only rain water or distilled water should be used for watering
carnivorous plants.

* Potted pitcher plants can be grown outdoors during the growing
season. They go dormant during the winter, but can't survive
temperatures below freezing point.

!! Things You\'ll Need !!

* A nursery - grown pitcher plant(preferred but seeds will also do)

* A garden

* A greenhouse (optional)

* A nice sunny place (optional)

!! Related WikiHows !!

* How to Grow Sarracenia (North American Pitcher Plants)

* How to Calculate Humidity

* How to Make a Mini Greenhouse

* How to Start a Garden Indoors Using Fluorescent Lights

* How to Be a Plant Doctor

!! Sources And Citations !!

* http://www.pitcherplant.com/care_sheets/nepenthes_care.html –
research source

* http://www.bugbitingplants.com/carnivorous_plants_care.php –
research source

* http://www.pitcherplant.com/terrarium.html – research source

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