Summer Sarrs

Sarracenia rubra ssp. gulfensis (left)
Sarracenia rubra ssp. gulfensis x (leucophylla x flava) (right)

It's summertime!!! Time for the Sarrs to flourish and me to marvel at their insect catching abilities in between attempts to ID them. This year, the Sarrs seem to be munching on little green, metallic flies. (You can see one above). After one or two insects is caught by a pitcher, those flies enter it en masse. I don't think I've had a pitcher last more than two weeks due to the inundation of flies.

Sarracenia leucophylla

Overall, I'm very happy with the plants that have come back and, despite my hope to not to buy more Sarracenia, I was easily persuaded to make a couple purchases which have yet to come. I also added in a few D. binata 'Dichotoma Giant' to the outdoor collection. In addition, I've moved the entirety of my Byblis collection outdoors and am currently experimenting with a Cephalotus and my Mexican Pings outdoors. While all those won't be able to stay outdoors for very long, I'm hopeful that I can save some electricity by moving some plants outside for summer.

Sarracenia x ahlesii

I've also gotten some really large pitchers that have started growing, such as this nice orangish Sarracenia x ahlesii. My hope that summer will result in a large number of my plants maturing. I'm also spending this time prepping for the coming winter. My plan is to overwinter most of the non-natives in a mini-fridge. That will likely be October's plant purchase.

Sarracenia rubra ssp. gulfensis and hybrids with Sarracenia rubra gulfensis

The number of plants that survived winter was not great - one of my round pots that I had been using as a bog was a complete loss. (I think it was hit with a pesticide or something). And, some plants that started coming out of dormancy too early, including my marvelous S. x catesbaei suddenly died. I'm very disappointed by that loss. The seedlings also did not fair well. About half died. Those that survived, however, have almost doubled in height from last year. I'm very impressed.

The plants that have really surprised me are the Sarracenia rubra ssp. gulfensis and its hybrids. Those did terrifically during winter. In contrast, I lost all my Sarracenia purpurea ssp. burkii hybrids. That surprised me given the fact that both live near one another in the wild. Then again, the losses seem concentrated mostly in seedlings under two years of age and larger plants that were recently transplanted, so there's that to consider.

Sarracenia minor

Happily, my Sarracenia minor are chugging along. It's not quite hot enough for long enough in northern New England for these guys to do as well as they would in the South, but they do alright. I'm just pleased that they've continued to put up some wonderfully colored pitchers. (Interestingly, flying insects seem to prefer other upright pitchers over S. minor).

Sarracenia purpurea ssp. burkii

I'm also finally getting some pitchers on my Sarracenia purpurea ssp. burkii. All last year it sulked, putting out many phyllodia but no pitchers. This year, it is putting out some small (but welcome) pitchers. I am hopeful that, in time, it will recover to the point of putting out some large and wonderful pitchers. Until then, I'll have to remain content with these ones.

Sarracenia leucophylla

I'm also discovering that the handful of small Sarracenia leucophylla that I purchased last year may not, in fact, be as pure as I had originally thought. These pitchers look like they have some Sarracenia alata (or Sarracenia rubra ssp. rubra) influence in them. Only time will tell, of course, but they are not presenting as a Sarracenia leucophylla traditionally would present.

Drosera capensis

I've also moved a number of Drosera capensis outside. These are getting ready for the NECPS Fall Show and Sale on September 5 and 6. In the meantime, they are busy snatching up all sorts of winged insects. (I'm particularly happy when I find them munching on mosquitoes, which are just about everywhere here). Some, of course, will be parent plants that will stay in my collection, but many will find new homes come September.

Sarracenia minor with Sarracenia flava to the left and Sarracenia 'Scarlet Belle' behind

The smaller bog "trays" that I have are flourishing right now. These hold my smaller plants (and ones that I did not transplant for this season). My hope is that they will continue flourishing through September and look absolutely spectacular just in time for the NECPS Fall Show.

Sarracenia flava var. ornata with Sarracenia x excellens behind

I have to end with a photo of this wonderful Sarracenia flava. Quite accidentally, I've collected one of almost every variety of Sarracenia flava. It's one of my favorite plants, so I'm happy to have it, and to be able to share this photo of a wonderful Sarracenia flava var. ornata with all of you.