Sarracenia Potting and Repotting

Categories: Pitcher Plant Care
Tags: Sarracenia, Care, Potting, Dividing

Potting is best performed in winter or early spring while plants are dormant. Division of the rhizome can be done at this time. If you must pot/re-pot during the growing season, handle the plant carefully to avoid excess disturbance of the root zone.

(1) Supplies

1. pot, plastic or sealed ceramic, large enough to have at least 1 inch of grow space around the plant
2. pine needles, optional but very helpful retaining medium in the pot
3. medium, 4 parts peat moss / 1 part perlite, pre-wetted until moist and crumbly

(2) Prepare the pot

1. add pine needles to the bottom enough to cover the holes
2. fill the pot about 1/3 with the wetted medium and firm it onto the needles

(3) Prepare the plant

1. cut any tall dead pitchers close to the rhizome
2. remove from the pot by shaking gently upside down or by cutting the pot if the plant is too firm in the pot
3. untangle the roots and clean the root ends of pine needles

(4) Potting

1. hold the plant in the middle of the pot and fill medium around the plant packing it firmly
2. leave the top 1/3 of the rhizome exposed, sunshine on the rhizome stimulates pitcher growth

(5) Dividing

1. the rhizome can be broken or cut apart
2. make sure the separations have roots and growth tips

(6) Finishing

1. gently spray the surface with water to settle the medium and clean off the rhizome
2. make sure to label the plant
3. place pot into a container of water