Growing Darlingtonias

[williamg]

I just got a Darlingtonia from Lowes (it was 8 bucks and I couldn't resist). I understand that they have to be kept cool, but is there anything else I need to know or any advice? I Live in a Zone 6 or 7 and I am not sure if I should grow it indoors or out (with protection from frost).

[frenchy87128]

Hi williamg,

That's surprising that you were able to find any carnivorous plants as any Lowe's around me will not get any until the spring/summer.

Darlingtonia go into a dormant stage during the winter. They live naturally in California which is zone 8 or 9. I would recommend growing these outdoors as they are much easier to take care of then they would be inside and they do get to a pretty large size eventually. Plus you eliminate many problems such as fungus by growing them outdoors.

They require acidic soil. This means that you can not use potting soil or any sort of fertilizer in the soil. In addition to this you must only use water which contains no minerals. Distilled water, Reverse Osmosis water or rain water does the trick just be careful if you're collecting your rain water from house roofs through drainspouts as the rain may pick up minerals from the roof depending on your roof type.

For the soil Darlingtonia usually prefers long fibered sphagnum moss to one part perlite. You can also use 2 parts perlite to one part peat. This allows for good air circulation. It is not a must but works well I have heard. I personally grow mine in peat moss and perlite mix, a 1 to 1 mix and they do fine. Since it is already winter though I would skip dormancy this year and grow your Darlingtonia as best you can if you can save it from it's 'Death cube'.

It will require plenty of artificial light if you are to grow it inside. The set up needed for this is 4, 4 ft, 40W neons (the shop light kinds). Do not use any incandescent lights as they produce too much heat and not enough of a spectrum.

When spring roles around, usually around Valentines day, you can plant your Darlingtonia outside in a pot or in a miny bog. If you plant it in a pot, you must let the pot sit in about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water since these plants are bog plants. Never let the soil dry out as it will mean certain death for your plant.

I hope I answered your question(s)! Good luck

Yann

[williamg]

Thanks for the Info, I will try to keep it alive! I will put it outside in the spring, but for the moment, it have it with my indoor CPs under two 80 watt Compact Florescent Bulbs. The temperature gets up to 68-70 degrees F during the day and 55-60 degrees F at night. Is the OK until spring when I can put it out with my outdoors CPs? The other plants with it are thriving, so I am pretty sure the spectrum is OK.

[frenchy87128]

Hi williamg

Those temperature are fine and will do well. Until you can set it outside watch for growth of fungus as it can become a nuissance indoors do to the lack of UV rays which kills fungi and it's spores. If you do encounter this problem, which usually is inevitable, only a few fungicides are acceptable to use on the soil. Sulfur based fungicides tend to do the trick or neem oil will do fine as well. I would go with the sulfur as it does not smell as bad as the neem oil but if you cannot get rid of the growth simply using the sulfur based fungicide, the neem oil will usually do the trick. These are available at most nurseries, I know the neem oil is available at Lowes.

Watch your temperatures when spring roles around and when temperatures consistently rise above 35-40 degrees or so plant it or bring it outside. Since you will not be putting it through dormancy you want to make sure you do not expose it to near freezing temperatures in the spring which will signal the plant to go dormant. They do prefer cool nights so cooler temperatures will benefit it at night. Eventually it will adapt to it's new conditions and will blossom for you! It may take a little while for it to adapt to it's conditions but once it does you will be able to see some clear results of your patience!

Good luck!

[williamg]

Just figured I'll update the status of my plant, it is still alive and has sent up some new pitchers. ;D Also, due to some unknow reason, there was another bulb or runner in the pot and it has started to send up pitchers too, so I am trying to make it to spring before I have to repot it to get it more room (it is in a 3 to 4 inch pot).

[williamg]

Its still alive!!!!! ;D

[williamg]

Plants gotten to big, so I replanted it in a 8 inch pot. It continues to produce new pitchers.

[frenchy87128]

Congratulations! Sounds like a happy Darlingtonia to me Keep up the good work!

[sarracenialover]

Would you please post a picture of your plant? I'm sure we all would like to see how it is growing.

[unstuckintime]

Do you do anything special in the ways of keeping the roots cool?

[williamg]

Sorry I responded in a while. I have no special way of keeping the roots, I just have in an 8 inch pot in pure LFS. I had to outside with my other plants, but squirrels (curse them) ate all the newly developed pitchers. Now I have it in a North-west window. It seems to be doing OK. I will try to post some photos soon.
William

[jimscott]

A cage of some sort could help prevent the critters from destroying them.

[williamg]

It could help, but it is now getting too hot outside for them, and they are doing well in the window. It will try to post some photos.