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Carnivorous Plants

anybody have any luck growing pitcher plants in sw florida?

16 years ago

my wife has always wanted to have pitcher plants and other carnivorous plants and i was planning on surprising her and making a bog garden outdoors. before proceeding wanted to know if anybody else has had any luck getting these plants to grow in southwest florida and if so which plants do they recommend.

thanks in advance

fern

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Comments (5)

squim4
16 years ago
I know that sarracenia are native to the florida panhandle, so they would definetely work very well. Venus flytraps could be great too, as well as add some variety. Sundews are ideal for bog gardens as well, however you would need to find one suitable for your climate. I would reccomend reading "the savage garden" for in depth information on Different plant varieties and building tips on bog gardens.

Good luck to you,
Squim4
mutant_hybrid
16 years ago
Hello bfern,

Both Sarracenia flava and Sarracenia minor are native to Florida. Both should grow in your bog with no problems. Alos, the above advice from squim4 is good. Florida is a good place to grow a variety of North American Carnivorous plants due to the amount of rain, the humidity, and the temperature in Florida. Other species of Sarracenias should do just fine there too.
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Lou, I hadn't considered buying seeds instead of plants, I'll have to check out what's available! Gary, I want to be able to plant them in bog conditions by the pond and not have to bring them in for them winter. I kill or maim far too many plants each winter by bringing them inside but I know that if I leave them outside the frost will get them. I've given up on orchids for this very reason! Since I live in zone 9A and am located in the lowest point in my area where the cold air settles in the winter I'm hoping that the natve pitcher plants will do okay in my garden. I will take your advise and read up on the plants chill hours though and try to pick the one that requires the least. I hadn't really considered chill hours for pitcher plants!
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tommyr_gw Zone 6
16 years ago
Agreed! Go for it! Sarrs are AWESOME plants!
garyfla_gw
16 years ago
Hi
Everyone always forgets that Florida has 3 climate zones
8 9 and 10 and a sliver of 11. Sarracenia require a cool rest period of at least several weeks. They will waste away in 10. There are however many tropical species that love it here but are really tough to find.
I would suggest a marsh or water garden rather than bog
in 10. Really fantastic choices of plants
It is possible to grow them here but not worth the effort for a "garden" gary
joshlynch
16 years ago
There is a carnivorous plant nursery in Boca Raton, Fl zone 10. They have good success letting the sarracenia go really dry between waterings in the winter.

Give them a ring!

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