Pale Pitcher Plant - Carnivorous - Sarracenia alata - 3" Pot
Pale Pitcher PlantSarracenia alataSarracenia alata red throat is usually found in open bogs and seeps along the Gulf of Mexico coast from Texas to Alabama. The pitchers reach up to 75 cm in height. Those seeds were collected in Australia.Sarracenia alata Red Throat is green with a red interior lid and a red throat. Although this carnivorous plant looks its best in September, it produces delicate looking yellow to cream colored flowers on tall stems in the early Spring, usually before pitcher growth begins. Clip off old leaves to make way for flower buds and new leaf growth.They trap their prey by offering them nectar to sip which is secreted around the lip of the plant and also at the base of the lid. Flying and crawling insects will find the nectar and if they take a wrong step, they will tumble into the pitcher. Once inside, they will find that retreat is impossible, due to short stiff hairs pointing downward. The inside of the pitchers are also very slippery, even to insects with the best traction. Once the insect reaches the bottom, it is dissolved by enzymes in the bottom of the pitcher and the nutrient value is absorbed by the plant.Hardiness zone 8, (-10 C/15 F) in Winter. They can grow well in pure sphagnum moss, live, long fibered or shredded, as well as the standard peat moss/sand which can be anything from 30% to 100% peat moss. There's no need to fertilize, as the plant relies on insects for food. The humidity should be between 60-80%.Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings. Water must be distilled or rain water because they do not tolerate city or hard water. It is a good idea to place a pie pan or large saucer, with about an inch of water in it, under the pot.They should be grown in bright light, but with protection from full midday sun. The temperature must be around 21 C/70 F, 27 C/80 F.