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Sarracenia rubra gulfensis, the Red Pitcher Plant, or
also named the Sweet Pitcher Plant, is probably the
stockiest and most robust of all the Rubra subspecies. It
produces pitchers up to 40 cm tall. The usual natural
habitat includes boggy areas along creeks and ponds and
on slight seepage slopes primarily in Northwest Florida.
This species generally occurs inland. Recommended for
conservatory or sunny windowsill.
Sarracenia rubra gulfensis flowers in April. The small,
deep red flowers have only the slightest odor which is
sweetish. The plant is dark red. The pitcher mouth is
usually 2.4 to 3.5 cm wide and is dark red. The Gulf
Sweet Pitcher develops dark red leaves by late Summer.
The growing season is from May through November.
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 zone 8, (-10°C/15°F) in Winter. Though it
requires 3-4 months of rest in cold temperatures, it
maintains its leaves all through Winter. Cut off brown
parts of trap. Protect from dry freezing wind. During
their rest, continue to keep your plants in small amounts
of standing water. This is necessary to prevent their
soil from drying out. While your Sweet Pitcher is going
through Winter dormancy outdoors, don't worry about brief
temperature dips into 20's. 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.
Sweet Pitchers require nutrient-free soil that provides
good drainage. Use a standard soil mixture of 50% peat
moss and 50% perlite. Never use potting soil or
fertilizer. Potting soil and fertilizer will kill your
plant. Procure full sun during its growing season. 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. 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.
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