Alternative soils

[voidgenesis]

I am interested in finding out if other Sarracenia growers have experimented with alternative soils, particularly if there is a way to avoid using peat, perlite and vermiculite.

Last year I repotted my Drosera binata and Dionaea into washed coarse sand with fine <5 mm pine bark. The mix was very free draining and the plants seemed a little dry to begin, but once the soil settled they started growing very nicely. I did the same for a few Sarracenias and they don't seem as happy and I suspect they need a portion of finer particles.

Has anyone used composted pine needles to provide this kind of finer material with Sarracenia?

[Not a Number]

Short term success has been reported using pine needles as a substrate. However the problem you are going to run in to is that it will quickly decompose when kept constantly wet. Pine bark mulch will last longer but will still break down more rapidly than sphagnum peat moss.

[voidgenesis]

I just had another look at my test Sarracenia in sand and fine pine bark and in comparison to the ones in live sphagnum and coarse pine bark they look fine in their spring growth. It seems like the mix takes a season to settle in- I think if I make bigger batches and leave them soak in water for a few months they should work straight away.

I also allow my trays to dry out between waterings- I think this helps prolong the life of the organic component in the soil by preventing permanent stagnation.