Sarracenia's are native to North America with most species being found in the south eastern states of Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and the Carolina's. There are two notable exceptions however Sarracenia Alata can be found growing in Texas and Sarracenia Purpurea ssp Purpurea is found growing from NewJersy northwards towards the Artic circle. The ease with which Sarracenia's are hybridised means there are now many different forms in cultivation.
Sarracenia requires a water retentive, yet free draining, acidic, nutrient free compost.
The base ingredients usually consisting of moss peat, perlite and horticultural (silver) sand.
The standard recommended mixture consists of 4 parts peat, 2 parts perlite and 1 part silver sand by volume.
A greenhouse or conservatory is undoubtedly the best place to keep Sarracenia's, however a sunny window sill will more than suffice. During the growing season, the compost should be kept wet at all times, this is most easily achieved by standing the pot in a tray of water. The plants should never be watered using any fertiliser.
Greenfly tends to be the most common pest, attacking the young immature pitchers. Greenfly are easily controlled by the use of a systemic insecticide used at regular intervals throughout the growing season.
Some damage has been experienced with vine weevil larvae, however these do not usually cause too much trouble. The larvae will eat the roots, usually the first visible sign of an infestation is the pitchers starting to wilt, and examination of the plant will highlight it to be loose in its container. Control of the larvae can be carried out using biological (nematodes) or chemical (systemic insecticide) methods depending upon choice.
Wasps can cause aesthetic damage to the pitchers by eating their way through the sides of the pitcher once they have been trspped inside. This does not cause the plant any harm it just allws an easy escape route for any insects subsequently falling into the trap.
Normally the only disease likely to affect Sarracenia's is Grey Mould (Botrytis cinerea). The rhizome is particularly susceptible if good hygiene is not maintained throughout the winter months. In particular the plant should have all dead material removed and be subject to good ventilation and light. As well as the above, preventative treatment can be taken in the use of a systemic fungicide. If Botrytis is found to be affecting a plant the only solution is to remove the affected areas. If the rhizome is attacked, the affected areas should be removed using a sharp knife or scalpel until only healthy tissue remains.
Division of plants is the easiest and most successful method of increasing your stock. This is best achieved during the Spring when new growth is just beginning to appear.
Sarracenia's require an acidic water - rainwater being ideal - with the plant being stood in 2-3 cms of water during the summer months. Throughout the winter the compost should be kept only just moist, most plants are lost during in the winter months due to overwatering causing damp stagnant conditions in which the rhizome is particularly susceptible to attack by Botrytis.