Pitcher Plant Root Requirement
Pitcher plants are a family of carnivorous plants that contain liquid in its pitcher-shaped bloom. When something falls into the pitcher, such as an insect, the liquid digests the insect for the plant to survive. Pitcher plants vary in size and shape, and some have no pitcher to hold liquid at all. Some plants just have leaves lined with a sticky liquid that trap the insect and digest it. Each type of pitcher plant varies, but many have similar requirements for care. Does this Spark an idea?
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Humidity
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Pitcher plants thrive in humid environments. Depending on the plant (cold- or warm-environment pitcher plants), you will need to ensure that humidity is kept up by using pools and humidifiers in your terrarium or green house. Thirty percent humidity is needed to keep the plants doing well and the soil moist for the roots. You may have to raise the humidity for tropical varieties.
Soil
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Pitcher plant roots require different soil mixes, depending on the type of pitcher plant. About 40 percent sand plus 60 percent peat moss is needed for smaller sundew types. For most other pitcher plants you can use 30 percent perlite and 70 percent moss. Some nephenes like to have 30 percent fir bark with 30 percent perlite and 40 percent moss. To keep your roots healthy, plant together pitcher plants that have the same soil needs.
Make sure to cover to soil to keep the head in for the roots. You can use moss, bark, pine needles or even live moss. However live moss is not recommend for small plants because the moss will take them over.
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Drainage
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While the soil needs to remain damp, you don't want to the soil to become soupy. Place the soil over a bed of rocks to allow the water to drain away. Don't use porous rocks that may retain the water and break down. If you are planting the pitcher plants in a box or pot, holes should be drilled in the bottom to so water drains out.
Water
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Filtered water will keep the roots in good shape. Pitcher plant should only need to be watered once a week. Do not allow the water to sit around the roots as it encourages mold.
Nutrients
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Pitcher plant roots get their nutrients from the insects the plants digests. Just feed the plants once a month with live or dead insects and the roots will get all the nutrients it needs. Fertilizer can poison the roots. The roots do not take up nutrients like normal plants, so they don't need extra from the ground.
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