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Carnivorous Plants

Frozen Water Trays/Dormancy

18 years ago

I put all of my flytaps and Sarracenas in the garage a couple of weeks ago to try to get them to dormancy. Today, I see that all of the water in their water trays is frozen. It is extremely cold in Long Island this weekend.

When the water freezes, should I bring them inside, to let them thaw. Or should I just be cold-hearted and leave them out there in the frozen weather?

Thanks for any help.

Jon

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Comments (7)

back2eight
18 years ago
I haven't personally had this happen to me since it just doesn't get that cold where I live, but the people at cobraplant.com get frozen water trays all the time, and snow all over their plants, and they do fine. I wouldn't worry about it.
FlytrpL8E
18 years ago
hey there banjoman,
Out here in this part of northern Calif., my trays freeze at irregular intervals. Especilly more so in the past week, when winter came back with a vengence.I would jest let them weather it out in the garage.If they die ,on my advice, let me know and I can send you some replacement plants.
Thanx for listening and keep 'em plants growin'
Lois
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banjoman
Original Author
18 years ago
Back2eight/Lois,

Thanks for your advice. This is my first experience submitting my plants to dormancy conditions, and it is sort of like tough love to leave them out there in the cold. Based on your advice, I'll just "chill" and let nature take its course.

Jon
back2eight
18 years ago
Jon,

I know what you mean. I hated seeing my sarracenias shrivel up and turn brown, and my VFTs turn black. I wouldn't do it if I didn't know that it was necessary for their survival! With spring around the corner, we should see them all come back to life!
banjoman
Original Author
18 years ago
When is a reasonable time of year to expect to bring Sarracenas and flytraps back inside in the northeast. If I just started their outiside dormancy at the end of January, do I need to try to give them as long outside as possible before bringing them back in to friendlier temperatures?

Jon
clay_in_iowa
18 years ago
The shortest domancy anyone in any book,that I've read, has recommended is 3 months. My plants usually get more like 5 months and they don't skip a beat when I warm them up in the spring.
petiolaris
18 years ago
It is not uncommon for VFT's to experince freezes. They're adapted to it. As long as it isn't a deep freeze or an extended length of time, they should be okay. I had mine in unscreened back porch and I discovered that they had frozen. I put them in the butter keeper of the fridge and continued their dormancy. 3 months later they flowered. Whatever you do, don't move them from one extreme to another. All moves with CP's should be gradual.

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