Monthly Carnivorous Plant Care

OUTDOOR PERENNIALS:
Sarracenia, Venus Flytraps, Hardy Sundews, Darlingtonia

SARRACENIA
All Sarracenia are coming out of dormancy, though some are slower than others. Sarracenia minor and S. psittacina, for instance, are usually one of the last Sarracenia to open up and flower. ' These and other late season varieties perk up when the weather is consistently warm. Much of the early and mid-season Sarracenia will be in various stages of active growth.

VENUS FLYTRAP
Flytraps should be in active growth by now, and most will produce flowers this month. No need to pollinate them. They do it on their own very readily. Make sure to grow your flytraps in full sun. plants to flower. If any of your pitcher plants have not produced a flower bud by now, you may have to wait until next spring for them to flower.

HARDY SUNDEWS
Most hardy sundews will look their best this month, right before their flowers bloom, which will happen by early July.

GENERAL CARE
• Keep their trays filled with mineral-free water.
• These plants love sunlight. Grow them in full sun whenever possible.
• If you are planning a vacation this month, make sure you have someone water your plants for you. Water trays can dry up quickly during hot summer days.
• Pay attention to aphids! They love to feed on new growth. Usually aphid damage will show up as disfigured leaves and pitchers. Unfortunately, by the time you see the damage, the aphids are long gone. To protect the new growth, neem oil. Spray generously on your plant. You may need to repeat in 5-7 days. As always, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
• Slugs also love to munch on new growth. To control these pests use slug bait. However, slug bait is toxic to carnivorous plants, so never place it on the soil surface of your carnivorous plants or in the water trays. Place it only around the water trays. If you have pets, use Sluggo®. This particular brand of slug bait is safe to use around pets and wildlife. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

TROPICAL PLANTS:
Nepenthes, Tropical Sundews, Butterworts, Heliamphora

GENERAL CARE
• If you want to move your tropical plants outdoors, you may do so now. However, plants prefer stable conditions and can take up to a month to acclimate to their new environment. They may stop producing dew or pitchers as they acclimate. In most situations, tropical plants do better remaining in your home during the summer months.
• If you decide to move your plants outdoors, place them in an area where they can receive direct early morning sunlight or bright indirect light for most of the day. Shelter them from the afternoon sun. After a couple of weeks, you may move them to a brighter location, according to what they need.
• Avoid placing Mexican butterworts (Pinguicula), South African sundews, and South American sundews outdoors. These plants prefer mild temperatures.
• Make sure your plants are watered appropriately. Never allow the soil to dry completely.
• Tropical plants are also prone to pests, such as aphids, thrips and scales. Always take immediate action if you see any of these pests or suspect pests may be a problem. Pests can get out of control quickly in the home. Start with naturally-derived insecticides made with pyrethrin or Neem. As always, follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.

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