Origin and Distribution
All eight types of pitcher plant or trumpet plant (bot. Sarracenia) are native to the USA, where they grow wild along the entire east coast up to Canada and in the north also far to the west in the moor areas and on lean, damp meadows. The best known is probably the red pitcher plant (bot. Sarracenia purpurea), which, due to its hardiness and robustness, can also be cultivated very well in our garden and container plants. In addition, the species is already wild in many parts, for example in Ireland, but also in Switzerland and Germany. Nonetheless, all Sarracenia species are considered to be endangered in terms of their population, as their natural habitat - swamps and moorlands - have been severely pushed back by humans.
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The gardener thus contributes to the preservation of the carnivorous species through their culture, especially since the bog and marsh plants can be cultivated wonderfully in the home water garden - for example near a pond or stream.
Appearance and stature
All Sarracenia species have a short rhizome, sometimes a stem, from which an evergreen, basal rosette of leaves sprouts. The plants are perennial.
leaves
The leaves of the carnivorous Sarracenia are evergreen, but they renew about once a year. Growth and structure are characteristic and give the plant its peculiar appearance: The leaves grow straight out of the rhizome without a stalk and have a tube-like opening at the top that functions practically like a funnel (4.63 € on Amazon *) and both catches rainwater and serves as a trap for insects falling into it. Inside the leaves, rainwater collects together with bacteria, other microorganisms and various digestive enzymes and is used to digest the trapped insects. Incidentally, these are attracted by fragrances and secretions of sweet nectar and, once they have fallen in, have no chance of escaping due to the smooth walls.Only the leaves of the parrot pitcher plant do not grow upwards, but lie horizontally on the ground.
In addition to the striking shape, the leaves also have a pretty green color with colored leaf veins. The foliage of the red pitcher plant is roughly streaked with red veins, while that of the yellow trumpet plant (bot. Sarracenia flava) is yellowish-green.
Flowering and flowering period
In early spring, together with the first new leaves, the rounded, lampion-like flowers of the pitcher plant form. These sit high above the tube-like leaves, individually on high flower stalks, so that the pollinating insects - mostly bees - are not endangered. The flowers, between three and ten centimeters in size, depending on the species, have an unusual structure and are intensely colored. Also typical is the mostly unpleasant smell, which can be more or less strong. The flowers of the yellow pitcher plant, for example, which are open for around two weeks, give off a scent reminiscent of cat urine.
Fruit and seeds
After successful pollination, Sarracenia forms five-chamber capsule fruits that contain seeds up to 600 and up to two millimeters in size. It takes about five months for the fruit to ripen, during which time it wilts and then rips open. The tiny seeds are surrounded by a waxy shell that protects them from moisture. After all, these are washed away in nature over flowing water and thus spread.
Pitcher plants can be propagated very well using seeds with a bit of expertise, but it takes between three and five years for the seedlings to mature and form flowers for the first time. However, right from the start, they form insect traps that are even more simply structured but already functional. Incidentally, all Sarracenia species belong to the group of cold germs, the seeds of which only lose their sprout inhibition when exposed to cold.
Toxicity
In general, pitcher plants are considered non-toxic to humans and pets. However, some Sarracenia species (for example the pitcher plant, Sarracenia minor) contain small amounts of the poison coniin, which is also produced by the highly poisonous spotted hemlock (Conium maculatum). Most likely, the poison is used to stun trapped insects.
Which location is suitable?
In order for the Sarracenia to feel comfortable in the bed, it needs a suitable location. The best place is a sunny, airy place where the plant gets at least six hours of sun a day. Only the blazing midday sun can cause burns and should therefore be avoided. In terms of temperature, the pitcher plant feels most comfortable at a warm 20 to 25 ° C, tolerates, at least planted in the bed, but also 30 ° C and more - provided it receives enough moisture.
Sarracenia cultivated as indoor or terrarium plants also require a lot of light, which should be installed using plant lights if necessary. Since the plants also need a high level of humidity and cannot tolerate dry ambient air, it is best to keep them in a container or terrarium made of glass. This is the easiest place to create the required microclimate. You can place garden specimens near a watercourse or a garden pond.
Soil / substrate
It is best to plant the pitcher plant in bog soil, which should be slightly acidic to acidic and as moist as possible. It does not harm the plant to stand several centimeters deep in the water. For this reason, it is also wonderfully suitable as a border planting for (artificially created) water in the garden.
Incidentally, a bog bed can be created relatively easily yourself. All you have to do is dig a 40 to 60 centimeter deep pit of the desired size, line it with pond liner and fill it with peat or bog soil. It is important, however, that the potting soil used is not fertilized, as the carnivorous Sarracenia are very sensitive to additional fertilization. Finally, soak the bed with plenty of water and plant it.
If, on the other hand, the pitcher plants are cultivated in pots, you should put them in a special carnivore soil, in bog soil or alternatively in a mixture of white peat and sand.
Plant Sarracenia properly
The best time to plant the Sarracenia is spring so that the perennials can still establish themselves well in their new location until winter. Choose a mild day in May, if possible after the ice saints, when possible late frosts are no longer to be feared. This time is also ideal for transplanting the pitcher plants.
Watering Sarracenia
Sarracenia is a typical bog plant that basically cannot be wet enough. In contrast to many other garden and indoor plants, pitcher plants should be kept constantly moist and also tolerate waterlogging very well. Specimens cultivated in pots should be watered daily, preferably pouring the water directly into the saucer.
Do not use tap water under any circumstances, because like all carnivorous plants, Sarracenia are very sensitive to lime and would die sooner or later. Instead, use rain or pond water or, if neither is available, well decalcified tap water. In addition, potted plants and garden specimens planted out when it is dry should be sprayed with lukewarm, decalcified water.
Fertilize Sarracenia properly
Like all carnivorous plants, Sarracenia does not have to be fertilized. The plants take care of themselves through trapped insects. Please do not be tempted to feed the plants: "Overfeeding" is also possible here, and the plants also have roots that are also used for nutrient supply if there are no insects.
Cut sarracenia properly
Pitcher plants should not be cut back or otherwise bothered with scissors or a knife.
Propagate Sarracenia
Have you gotten excited about the interesting pitcher plant? Then you can look after offspring yourself with relatively little effort:
- Division of larger plants in spring
- Sowing self-collected or purchased seeds
The seeds that ripen in autumn can be collected and stored in damp sand and in a well-sealed container for up to a year. If possible, keep them in the fridge's vegetable drawer. You can either sow them straight into the bed in autumn or prefer them in pots. Before that, however, they must be stratified in the refrigerator for at least two months. Then sow them in small pots or bowls with very moist soil and cultivate them at around ten to 15 ° C. The seedlings germinate after about three to four weeks and should be pricked out as soon as possible. From the end of May the young Sarracenia can finally go into the bed.
Overwinter
Sarracenia are among the few hardy carnivorous plants in our region. Even specimens in the room need to be kept in hibernation, which is why you should keep them cool, but frost-free, between November and March at temperatures between two and a maximum of ten ° C. Water the plants significantly less during this time.
Sarracenia cultivated in pots that stand outside on the balcony or terrace during the summer should also be brought into the house.
Tips
Pitcher plants harmonize very well in the bog bed with swamp violets (Viola lanceolata), bog lilies (Narthecium ossifragum), bog carnations (Helonias bullata) and other carnivores such as the round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) or the Venus flytrap (Dionea muscipula).
Species and varieties
The pitcher plant genus comprises only eight different species, but is rich in a wide variety of hybrids. The species Sarracenia purpurea, S. flava and S. leucophylla in particular have proven to be frost-hardy under Central European conditions and feel extremely at home here.
- Yellow pitcher plant (Sarracenia flava): up to 100 centimeters high, leaves yellowish in color and often marbled red, inflorescence yellow and red-veined, intense, unpleasant scent
- Red pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea): most common species with strong red veined leaves and deep red flowers
- White pitcher plant (Sarracenia leucophylla): Plant height up to 120 centimeters, white leaves, dark red flowers
- Pale pitcher plant (Sarracenia alata): Growth height up to 80 centimeters, yellowish green leaves with red tips, creamy white flowers
- Small pitcher plant (Sarracenia minor): low growth between 25 and 35 centimeters, light yellow flowers
- Green pitcher plant (Sarracenia oreophila): Plant height up to 70 centimeters, yellow-green leaves with red-veined cover, yellow flowers
- Parrot pitcher plant (Sarracenia psittacina): rare species with red leaves and white hoods and red flowers, up to 40 centimeters in height
- Brown-red pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra): brown-red patterned leaves, red flowers, growth height up to 40 centimeters
