BigPlants

Propagating Carnivorous Plants

Seed Most Generally speaking, the seeds of CPs are quite small and very slow growing. It takes a typical pitcher plant 3 to 4 years to gain a height of over 2 inches. Because of this, most CPs generally are not practical for classroom germination and growth. There is one nice exception: the sundews. These can germinate within a few days or weeks, grow quickly and even flower within a few months.Most seeds of CPs are very small and slow growing. It will take most pitcher plants several years to get full sized. I've grown several species of pitcher plants including leucophylla. It is a very slow process. It takes 3 to 4 years to get some small, 3 to 4 inch pitchers. There are usually a number of "volunteer" Venus Flytraps growing in the bog as well as some of the Sundews.The bog flower Polygala lutea stays established in the bog by re-seeding. Try sprouting and growing seed on finely chopped Sphagnum mosss mixed with sand, one part each. Wet thoroughly and cover the tray or container with plastic to keep the humidity high. Place under filtered light. Most common CPs have seeds that must be stratified. The seed must be cooled for 6 to 8 weeks. Cover the seeded container with plastic and place in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks. They will the be ready to sprout. You can refrigerate just the seed in damp paper towels in a plastic bag if you prefer. Rhizome Divisions This is the easiest and probably the fastest way to propagate most Sarracenia. In the winter I bring in all the pitcher plants in containers that look full. These can often be divided into 2, 3, or more plants that have nice, fulll size pitchers and roots. Clean the rhizomes with water and you can usually see naturaly points to cut and divide the rhizome. I try to get some roots on each division. Pot up in a mix of 1/2 peat moss, 1/2 clean, lime free sand. These plants like lots or room for root growth so I start with a one gallon container. That's about 6 to 7 inches in diameter and about 7 inches deep. Place in trays of clean rainwater about an inch deep. Leaf Cuttings This works especially well with sundews. Cut a healthy, mature leaf off at the base with a clean razor. Place the entire leaf on a bed of chopped sphagnum moss. Pin the leaf down if necessary so that it is in full contact with the planting medium. Cover the container with plastic or place in a plastic bag. Keep in a warm are (not too warm) and small plantlets should appear in a few weeks.