[pepsi100]

I have been toying with the idea of getting some of these Carnivorous Plants, the pitcher plant type

There were several at a show I went to, they did look nice and these looked healthy, but in real life, do they thrive ?

I have seen several sellers (on Ebay) selling seeds and plants

Has anyone had any success with growng any of these plants ? (either as a plant or from seed ?)

I have been looking on the forums for any onfo on these plants, couldnt find anything, am I right in assuming noone grows them, they are a niche growers thing or they just dont survive in the UK ?

There are a few websites that sell them, but I cant see any reviews of anyone who has grown these with any success

Advice/suggestions please 

[sunshineband]

I have never been bale to keep one for more than a few months despite teying really hard to ensure they have the conditions they like - soft water etc.

Maybe just short of flies 

All joking aside, if I was going to try again (and they are not cheap) I would do a lot more specialiat on line research forst or maby buy one from a stand a show, where I could talk to a grower

[pepsi100]

They had some Venus flytraps in a store near me, £3.95, they looked a bit sorry for themselves, no one seemed to know anything about their upkeep, needless to say I didnt buy one

There are some good looking plants on Ebay, but just wanted to know how they really cope in the real world (any seller is going to say anything to make a sale)

This seemed to be the place to ask, but I think they are a specialized plant and not many people grow them succesfully, so I dont expect a lot of replies

[sunshineband]

Actually I saw some pretty decent pitcher plants at Dobbies last week, if you have a store near you?

[Aunt Sally]

I've grown them in my cold greenhouse for years.

They are quite easy to grow.

This is a good book and is a must for me

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carnivorous-Plants-Adrian-Slack/dp/1899296131

It covers correct planting medium for each sepcies and as soon as you buy them repot into the correct misture as they are always in the worng stuff.

Stand them in a tray of rainwater all the time.

[sunshineband]

Thinking about the cold greenhouse, maybe that's why mine didn't thrive ---  I had them indoors

[pepsi100]

Dont think there is a Dobbies near me (if their website is anything to go by)

Aunt Sally

What kind are you growing ? pitcher plant ? Venus flytrap ?

How about during the summer ? still in the green house ?
I wanted them in the conservatory, its bright, get the sun and I can still stand trhem in rainwater (which after this afternoon I have no shortage)

[Aunt Sally]

pitcher plants, venus sly trap, sun dews, butter wort (or is it wert ?)

I leave them in the greenhouse all year round.  You can put them outside in the summer if you want to.  I cover them with some fleece in the winter but the water still freezes.  They get through it though.

[sunshineband]

So I've been too too kind 


Like the sound of the sly trap -- very appropriate 

[Aunt Sally]

Like the sound of the sly trap -- very appropriate 

 

[pepsi100]

Aunt Sally

Were they from seeds ?

I quite like the pitcher plants



Does the sly trap creep up on the flies ?


Any idea what this one is, by any chance ?

[Aunt Sally]

No I bought them as growing plants.

The dangling one in the picture you have posted is one of the more difficult ones to grow.

These are easier

[pepsi100]

The picture I posted is one I saw in Rwanda,

I got loads of seeds from it, I have put them in a pot, just to see if they will grow, but not really sure of the medium, but I have just put it in ordinary peat compost

(it was just in the ground in Rwanda)

[Aunt Sally]

You could be lucky let us know how it goes.

I add sharp sand and perlite to the moss peat.  If you need to know proportions I'll have to look it up in my book.

Remember - rain water only !!!

[pepsi100]

You could be lucky let us know how it goes.

I add sharp sand and perlite to the moss peat.  If you need to know proportions I'll have to look it up in my book.

Remember - rain water only !!!

That would be appreciated, do I keep em in this peat compost ?


As for rainwater, my water butt is now full, 250 liters of the stuff, enough ?