Sarracenia
Sarracenia are classed as a carnivorous plant, they attract insects into the funnel like trap using colour, smell and a sticky secretion or nectar.
These are the the North American Pitcher Plants, fine hairs inside the funnel point downwards making it impossible for insets to find their way out.
Sarracenia varieties
With approximately eight species of Sarracenia identified varieties include
- Sarracenia oreophila or Green pitcher , rare in cultivation, and with a number of named varieties, mostly different color concentrations away from the green of var. oreophila.
- Sarracenia alata is typically pale green with red veins,
- Sarracenia leucophylla is known as the white pitcher plant, tall upright pitchers with white tops. It is a spectacular sight in a large group. You will find that many plants sold as Sarracenia leucophylla are actually hybrids. You can see typical colour variation in the image below right.
Named cultivars such as S. leucophylla 'Hurricane Creek White' which is a complex hybrid of a number of species, and S. leucophylla 'Tarnok' are popular varoeties.
Sarracenia Care
If you want a healthy Sarracenia with good foliage, them you need to yak care of the root system.
With Sarracenia, the roots serve the purpose of fixing the plant in the soil as well as taking in nutrients from the moisture.
A slightly acids soil is essential, and Sarracenia do have extensive root systems for a rather small plant. A mixture of peat moss, perlite and sharp sand works well for many growers as a medium for Sarracenia.
Moisture retentive acids peat, free draining and oxygen allowing perlite and sand. Use a 1 : 1 : ratio for starters and adjust.
Fertilize with a dilute liquid type general purpose fertiliser and growth will improve.
Never over water, never allow to dry out and do not over fertilise.
Sarracenia are available for sale from the following specilaist nurseries.
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Available for sale from the following nurseries
TRIFFID NURSERIES
Great Hallows, Church Lane, Stoke Ash. Suffolk. IP23 7ET
Tel: 01379 678797 email: andy@triffidnurseries.co.uk
ESSEX CARNIVOROUS PLANTS
Mark Haslett
12 Strangman A
ve Thundersley Essex SS7 1RB
tel: 01702 551467 email: mark@essexcarnivorousplants.com
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