Sarracenia purpurea

Germination

Sow indoors at any time. Prior to sowing seeds may be soaked in warm purified water or rainwater with a tiny spot of washing-up liquid which should help break down the waxy coating. Drain. Surface sow onto moist, well-drained sphagnum moss/soil. Place the whole pot in a polythene bag and cold stratify at 4°C, a fridge or cold garage is ideal for 4-8 weeks. Remove to a bright windowsill for germination, ideal temp. 20-24°C. Keep moist at all times. Germination takes 1-3 months and can be erratic. Transplant seedlings when they have 5 true leaves. Grow on in a terrarium or under glass in warm greenhouse.

Growing

Prefers to grow on live sphagnum moss, watered with distilled, de-ionised or rain water, normal tap water contains too much salt. Young plants can be raised in a terrarium with overhead lighting. Plants can be grown in a greenhouse with an ideal temp. of 15-32°C. If moving outside do so in spring/summer after cold weather has passed but before hot weather sets in. A bog garden or a low nitrogen soil which remains consistently moist is ideal. An orchid fertiliser may be used if desired.

Cultivation

Propagate by seed.