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You will find Sarracenia
flava rugelli in Northern
Florida and throughout the coastal regions of Georgia,
South Carolina and North Carolina. This pitcher is
excellent for the beginners. These plants can get very
tall, even in small pots. They will slow down growth
after mid Summer. The pitchers reach up to 30 inches in
height.
Sarracenia flava rugelli has green to yellow tubes and lids,
lids that seem to protect it from flooding during
rain, and a red blotch on the of throat. Blooms
first appear in late Winter and continue into early Fall.
The flowers look like an upside down umbrella with light
yellow petals hanging out. Clip off old leaves to make
way for flower buds and new leaf growth. This species
produces pitchers only in the Spring, very showy in the
Spring. It produces phyllodia (pitcherless leaves) in
late Summer.
They trap their prey by offering them nectar to sip which
is secreted around the lip of the plant and also at the
base of the lid. Flying and crawling insects will find
the nectar and if they take a wrong step, they will
tumble into the pitcher. Once inside, they will find that
retreat is impossible, due to short stiff hairs pointing
downward. The inside of the pitchers are also very
slippery, even to insects with the best traction. Once
the insect reaches the bottom it is dissolved by enzymes
in the bottom of the pitcher and the nutrient value is
absorbed by the plant.
Hardiness zones 7-8, ( -10°C/15°F, -15°C/5°F) in
Winter. They can grow well in pure sphagnum moss, live,
long fibered or shredded, as well as the standard peat
moss/sand which can be anything from 30% to 100% peat
moss. There's no need to fertilize, as the plant relies
on insects for food. The humidity should be between 60-80%.
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out
between waterings. Water must be distilled or rain water
because they do not tolerate city or hard water. It is a
good idea to place a pie pan or large saucer, with about
an inch of water in it, under the pot. Elevate the pot by
placing pebbles under it so that the base of the pot is
barely in contact with the water, not submerged; the
growing medium must stay moist, but never soggy. This
will keep the humidity around the plant higher and it
will ensure that the plant has a constant source of
moisture.
They should be grown in bright light, but with protection
from full midday sun, the temperature must be around
21°C/70°F, 27°C/80°F. In cloudy coastal areas,
artificial light is a must. Sarracenia Flava requires
seasons in order to survive long term.They need a dormant
period of about 3 months in the Winter. The typical
heated home is too warm in the Winter. The entire planter
may be moved to an area where the temperature will remain between
2°C/35°F and 5°C/40°F.
During the Winter months, restrict watering somewhat, but
never allow the plants to dry completely. If left outside
during winter, protect them from dry freezing wind during
deep freezes by covering the plant with black plastic.
Uncover the plant when the deep freeze and dry freezing
wind is over.
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