A very unusual plant is the Sarracenia hybrid, which is also known as the pitcher plant. It owes its name to the striking trumpet-like leaves with which it attracts and digests insects, especially flies. Caring for pitcher plants is complex. Hybrid forms are somewhat more robust and easier to care for.
How do you properly care for a Sarracenia hybrid?
The care of the Sarracenia hybrid includes damming with lime-free water, avoiding fertilizer, occasional repotting in spring, recognizing and combating gray mold as well as cool, bright overwintering for cold-sensitive specimens.
How is the Sarracenia hybrid watered?
The damming method is recommended in a pot or bucket. The irrigation water is only poured into the coaster. If the saucer has dried out, new water is poured in.
The pitcher plant does not tolerate hard water. Water only with rainwater or use distilled water.
To increase the humidity, you can spray Sarracenia more often with soft water.
Does the pitcher plant need fertilizer?
Like all carnivorous plants, you should not fertilize pitcher plants. They supply themselves via the substrate, which usually contains too many nutrients anyway.
Does Sarracenia need to be repotted?
As soon as the pot has become too small, you should repot the plant. The best time for this is spring. Choose a container that is just a little larger than the old one. Fill it with fresh substrate.
When repotting, you can also divide the plant straight away to propagate it. Cut the rhizomes with a knife so that enough roots remain on the sections.
What diseases can occur?
Gray mold occurs more often in an unfavorable location. It is a sign that the plant
- too dark
- too warm
- too cold
- if the humidity is too high
stands. All affected parts must be cut. The plant should also be repotted. Place the Sarracenia hybrid in a more favorable location.
How is the pitcher plant overwintered?
Winter-hardy types of pitcher plants do not need any special winter protection. When caring for it in a bucket or as a houseplant, special wintering is necessary.
Houseplants are moved to a very bright location over the winter, but only 2 to 10 degrees cool. They may only be watered very sparingly. However, the substrate should not dry out completely.
Tip
Hose plants with their eye-catching flowers and tube-shaped leaves can be kept outdoors, in pots or as houseplants. Winter-hardy varieties are suitable for outdoor use.
