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Watering

As with almost all carnivorous plants the watering regime can be simplified into two simple rules, one, use only rainwater, and two, never allow the compost to fully dry out. 

This may appear simple enough, in practice however it is never quite that easy.  In summer the plant will require standing in water to take account of the high evaporation, because ideally it will be standing in full sunlight with full ventilation.  Whilst in the winter months care should be taken to ensure the plant is not over watered, and the compost is only just kept moist. 

Spring is the time when most care has to be taken to ensure the compost does not fully dry out.  More water should be added to the tray once it has become dry - early in the season enough water is added to take the level just above the drainage holes in the plant pot.  As the season progresses and the evaporation rate increases, then the level of the water is increased until during the height of summer the plants are stood in approximately 3-4 cm of water.  During the summer the water level is never allowed to drop below 1 cm. 

During the autumn the opposite should take place with the level of water being reduced as winter approaches. 

Always ensure the plant has good ventilation, whilst this will tend to increase the evaporation rate of the water even during the winter, the plant should not come to any harm even if it is over watered occasionally. 

If you find the compost has dried out fully,- in summer this usually evident by the pitchers beginning to wilt, - the plant pot should be fully immersed in water containing a drop of washing up liquid until the compost is thoroughly soaked.  The pot should then be allowed to drain and the normal watering regime continued. 

If during the summer months your supply of rainwater is exhausted, then obviously any water is better than none.  In this event the preferred alternative would be pond water, followed by tap water.