Pitcher plant, repotting or trimming

9 years ago

Hey folks:

So you'll see below I've got a very successful pitcher plant that's becoming a victim of it's own success.

As you can see it's got some long growths, all on one side that are destabilizing the poor pot. I can repot, but I was also considering just cutting loose some of the lower half to two thirds. As you can see the upper bits of the plant form nice pitchers, but for the lower leaves, the buds don't seem to form into full pitchers.

It's also forming entirely new sprouts at the top so I'm not worried about it not growing.

Suggestions are welcome. I'm leaning toward cutting away a lot of that lower growth. Any reasons that's a bad idea?

Thanx!

Featured Answer

Josh

9 years ago

Yeah man that needs a definite trim job. You could easily snip the lower vines & clone them if you want. Cut the vines at the points where you see little nodes those are new grow points. So no trimming the lower 1/2 won't hurt it a bit.

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Comments (9)

Christopher Ferguson
Original Author
9 years ago
Cool, I'll get to that then!
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Josh
9 years ago
Forgot to mention Rockwool cubes work great for clones. or you root the cuts in water as well. Happy growing!
Christopher Ferguson
Original Author
9 years ago
Heh, sorta debating if I want another pitcher plant, but might as well, makes for a good gift at worst I suppose!
Josh
9 years ago
Yeah I like to give out cuttings to fellow green thumbs as well.
tommyr_gw Zone 6
9 years ago
SO many cuttings! LOL!
rredbbeard
9 years ago
Christopher--I'm just wondering what zone/location you're in? Of course I'm also wondering if pitcher plants would be as easy where I am in zone 6a? You make it look easy!
Christopher Ferguson
Original Author
9 years ago
We're in zone 9 which, granted, may not be far off from the plant's native environment. However, it's an inside plant, so as long as you keep it warm, you may have a chance. Humidity is the other variable you'd need to consider. If you go to a local gardening center, see if they have them for sale...if they don't they might not grow well without special care (sort of like how venus fly traps are tough).
rredbbeard
9 years ago
Would you have any seeds of vft or sarracenia available for swap or sase? If so, I have a number of interesting species' seed and offsets available, and can send you a list.

Thx