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Sarracenia oreophila heavily veined is a perennial plant.
This plant is almost extinct in the wild now. This very
rare pitcherplant is restricted to Northeastern Alabama,
North Georgia, and Southwestern North Carolina. A
historical record exists for Tennessee. In nature, you
can find it in wet areas, bogs swamps and moist woods and
sandy floodplans. The pitchers are 20 to 75 centimeters
in length by 6 to 10 centimeters in circumference at the
orifice.
It only produces nice pitchers in the Spring. The veins
become darker and more pronounced with age. Your
Sarracenia oreophila will slow down in growth and drop
their pitchers by November. In its place will be non-carnivorous
Winter leaves called phyllodia. This is perfectly normal.
In mid-Summer and in the Fall it produces recurved
phyllodia, non-pitcher leaves, that are 5 to 18 cm in
length. The phyllodia last until the next Spring and
should not be cut off until they turn brown. Its Winter
leaves will provide the plant energy through
photosynthesis.
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.
The flowers have five sepals and five petals. They are
green and yellow-green. From mid-March to early June the
solitary, nodding yellow flowers develop and are
approximately 4 to 5.5 centimeters in length. The scape
curves at the end so that the flower points down. The
flower stalk is 45 to 70 centimeters in length. From July
to August, the fruit develops containing numerous seeds.
Hardiness zones 8-9, (-10°C/15°F,-5°C/25°F) in Winter.
They require seasons in order to survive long term.
Sarracenia Oreophila go dormant during the Winter months,
requiring 3-4 months of Winter dormancy. This plant is
one of the first to emerge from dormancy, and one of the
first to go dormant. If it is a very warm Summer, this
plant can go into dormancy as early as September. Cool
Summers will extend its growing period into October and
November. 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.
Sarracenia oreophila does well in a soil mixture of 1
part peat moss and 1 part perlite. It requires nutrient-free
soil that provides good drainage. Never use potting soil
or fertilizer. Potting soil and fertilizer will kill your
plant. Adult plants enjoy full sun outdoors. During the
growing season, grow your plant outside in full sun, with
a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight for vigorous
growth.
Keep the pot in standing water to keep the soil wet at
all times in growing season. The rest of they year the
soil should always be just damp as they can rot if kept
too wet. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.
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. If you are growing it
in a pond, keep the water level halfway on the pot. Avoid
drowning the crown of the plant. Typical Summer
temperatures where they grow naturally are in the mid 30's
C (90's F).
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