How moist should the soil be kept now?

[zhilin]

I live in La Jolla, southern California. The day temp now is around 65F, while the night temp is around 55 F. My VFTs are grown in 3'' pots outdoor, and they can receive 4 hours direct sunshine in the afternoon.

In these conditions, how moist should the soil be kept? I use the tray method. The water table is about 1'' . Since VFTs' roots are easy to rot, I am wondering whether the soil is too wet? Shall I decrease the water table?

Thanks.

[ICPS-bob]

Yes. I think 1-inch of water in a 3-inch pot is a bit too much. However, in such a small pot, the soil can dry out very quickly on a sunny day. Also, we are nearing the winter dormancy (in the northern hemisphere). VFTs tend to rot during winter if kept too wet.

[zhilin]

Oct 11, 2009 16:50:25 GMT ICPS-bob said:

Yes. I think 1-inch of water in a 3-inch pot is a bit too much. However, in such a small pot, the soil can dry out very quickly on a sunny day. Also, we are nearing the winter dormancy (in the northern hemisphere). VFTs tend to rot during winter if kept too wet.

Thanks, Bob. Another question is, is 1-inch of water suitable for Sarracenia and Sundew in these days?

[mmlr38]

I agree with Bob. An inch of water for a 3 inch pot is a bit too much, especially in the fall and winter. This time of year, it's best to not leave your plant sitting in water over night. But as Bob said, where you live the air is dry and when it's sunny your pot could dry out very quickly. Make sure that your plant's soil is moist during the day, but don't let it sit in water over night.

[w03]

Oct 11, 2009 17:56:15 GMT zhilin said:

Thanks, Bob. Another question is, is 1-inch of water suitable for Sarracenia and Sundew in these days?

I thought that sundews should be dormant by now and would need much less water If I'm wrong please correct me. (However, that makes sense if they are tropical sundews).

[Alexis]

Still fairly warm though, and in the open air it should be ok sitting in a bit of water. Maybe half an inch though.

Come November I would cease having it in water completely.

[mmlr38]

Oct 15, 2009 14:49:12 GMT Alexis said:

Come November I would cease having it in water completely.

I agree. Just be sure to keep the soil moist!