First, let me say thank you @dave for making this forum!
I am new to carnivorous plants, but I can see it becoming an addiction, lol. I recently purchased a small Sarracenia (should have kept the tag), and planted it in a fishbowl. I found out I'm supposed to use distilled or reverse osmosis water, but I'm pretty clueless as to the rest of the care instructions. I read online that they go dormant, but I'm keeping mine inside as a house plant. Should I put it outside at certain times of the year? Any info would be much appreciated.





Also, I saw these at a friend's house in Broxton, GA. She said they grow wild near her house, but she didn't know if they would survive outside at my house. I'm about 3 hours north of her, in Zone 7b near Atlanta. Can someone ID them? Recommendations on where to buy something like this?

Hi Jessie,

The terrarium is a good idea to keep the humidity up but... The creeping Jenny and the Asperagus fern will out compete the Sarracenia in a very short time. You might want to remove those two and give the tank over to the Pitcher.

The Sarracenia looks like one of the small growing Pitchers. Keep its roots in water but make sure the crown of the plant is always above the water line.

Sarracenia need full sun, lots of water (roots in water) and a winter dormancy. That means, starting about October, put it someplace that still gets good sun but is chilly (a basement window?) until spring.

Water: What kills carnivorous plants is calcium. I am lucky enough to live in an area with water with a very low calcium level. If you have a lot of minerals in your water or if you don't know, used distilled water.

The third photo is Sarracenia flava - I have them growing outside in Zone 6. I mulch them in the winter to keep them from freezing then thawing all winter. They can take the cold but not the freeze/thaw.

Daisy

Thank you @DaisyI!

Yea. It's sarracenia purpurea yellow variant. It's native to my state I know that much. Yea, definitely not the best choice for terrarium, at all. If I were you, I would put it in a normal pot, and at least put it in much sun as possible. And yes to the distilled water, think about collecting rain water, because even I sometimes forget to refill my jugs after work. We're only human.

If you do sense an addiction coming on, I would get an easy butterwort or sundew for that set up instead.

And definitely a very neat idea with the other complimenting plants with it. I mean, when I read you designed that I was blown away for a min really good job dude, hope you picked the right career.

And lastly, even if you said screw it to all of the advice, that plant will outgrow that bowl.

Guaranteed.

LASTLY, if you do make it a hobby. Regardless what anyone tells you and I mean ANYONE!!!

Use coco coir instead of sphagnum moss!

Please just do that at least and pass it on. Look up how it is manufactured and acquired.

-Brenden

Thanks for the advice @bhart90! I will remove it and place outside. The terrarium will fill up with the other plants. The sarracenia is already getting bigger, with a new leaf/pitcher that formed recently. Suggested pot size? Maybe a 2 gallon pot? I'm definitely doing a lot more research before I get any more CPs, but they are so cool!

I appreciate the compliment. I'm glad gardening is just a hobby. I originally wanted to go into a field of biology, but it's just not as fun when it's "work". (Plus, I hate writing research papers.) I've made several planters, like antique pitchers and such, but this one in the fish bowl turned out the best so far. Used rocks and plants from the yard, a few pieces of tigers eye from my old rock collection, and a fishbowl that I already had, so it was basically free except for the sarracenia.

Jessie6162 said:Thanks for the advice @bhart90! I will remove it and place outside. The terrarium will fill up with the other plants. The sarracenia is already getting bigger, with a new leaf/pitcher that formed recently. Suggested pot size? Maybe a 2 gallon pot? I'm definitely doing a lot more research before I get any more CPs, but they are so cool!

I appreciate the compliment. I'm glad gardening is just a hobby. I originally wanted to go into a field of biology, but it's just not as fun when it's "work". (Plus, I hate writing research papers.) I've made several planters, like antique pitchers and such, but this one in the fish bowl turned out the best so far. Used rocks and plants from the yard, a few pieces of tigers eye from my old rock collection, and a fishbowl that I already had, so it was basically free except for the sarracenia.

2 gallon would be just fine, full sun or at least 80% of daylight time

I don't agree with Brenden but I am good with you making your own choices.

Daisy

Hello Jessie! Welcome to the fun world of Carnivorous plants!

I grow my Sarracenias outdoors in a container sitting in distilled water. If we get rain, which is not often unfortunately, I try to collect some for my carnivores. During late Fall to winter it is dormant time for the Sarracenias, so they tend to look ratty and ugly, but I still keep them sitting in water. Our winters here are mild anyways. Got to be patient for their return in mid Spring.

I normally buy my carnivorous plants direct from vendors during plant shows, but I do see their online websites: https://www.californiacarnivor... or try http://www.growcarnivorousplan...

Thanks @tarev! I will do a little research and see if there is a CP plant show coming to Atlanta any time soon. I would certainly prefer to buy in person.

Hi Jessie!

I believe that you will have excellent growing with your plants.
However, may I suggest some tips?

1. I don't really recommend the Terrarium. It has poor drainage as opposed to other pots. Roots rot more easily in there. The roots are basically just an anchor for the plants. They don't absorb much water so only keep the base of the roots (I believe the yellow part of the root at the bottom) soaked in water.
2. For dormancy, just stick it inside your refrigerator or something like that. Around 40 degrees would be very good, basically being a simulation of a winter. This causes the plant to go into dormancy. At first, you might think it's dying. Don't worry, it hasn't died yet.
3. Humidity could be a problem. The thing I see with terrariums is that the make the plant too humid. When too much water accumulates on the crown of the plant or starts to build up on the leaves, the plant starts to become more susceptible to diseases.
4. More air circulation is recommended. These are plants after all. They need lots of air circulation. Usually tropical areas have animals. These produce Co2 for the plants. Without anything in your terrarium producing Co2 and without proper air circulation, these plants will die.
5. Sometimes people get clumsy. (not saying you are) They get dirt all over the terrarium and then they spray window cleaner or whatever on the glass to get rid of it. Don't do that. It will kill the plant because they aren't used to absorbing in so many minerals. Terrariums will need constant wiping down and cleaning which will take more work.
6. From the way that I can see things, the open terrarium is a great idea, although eventually your plants will run out of space. When you are changing them, they will go into shock, due to the sudden humidity drop. I recommend that as it gradually grows larger and larger, you slowly elevate the plant until it is finally out of the terrarium so you can move it to a larger one.]

Happy planting and good luck!