When and How to Repot Pitcher Plants

Pitcher vegetation are so cool, there’s nothing fairly like these fascinating carnivorous species with their odd traps and attention-grabbing foliage.

However they aren’t precisely the best houseplant specimens to develop. Pitcher vegetation have distinctive cultural necessities and could be a little fussy.

There are two essential kind of pitcher vegetation cultivated as houseplants: species within the Sarracenia genus, which might be native to North America, and tropicals within the Nepethes genus.

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For those who want a refresher, learn our information to rising tropical nepenthes or our article about caring for Sarracenia pitcher vegetation.

When they’re grown in containers, inevitably there comes a time when these carnivorous specimens will should be repotted. And it’s not fairly as simple as, say, repotting a vigorous philodendron.

Pitcher vegetation are a bit fragile. It’s simple to interrupt the leaves, pitchers, and roots. Plus, they don’t wish to be disturbed. 

No matter what species you’re rising, they are often repotted in the identical manner. And that’s what we’ll go over on this information.

Right here’s what I’ll cowl:

When to Repot

This work ought to be accomplished within the springtime, but when you have to do it at a distinct time of yr, for instance if you buy a brand new specimen within the incorrect kind of container, that’s effective.

You’ll understand it’s time to repot when the roots begin creeping out of the drainage holes or out of the highest of the potting medium.

It’s essential to repot when the potting medium turns into compacted, decomposes, or if the specimen is just too huge for the present container.

Preparation

Earlier than you are able to do the precise work of shifting your specimen from one pot to the subsequent, you have to put together.

Step one is to know the most effective potting substrate on your explicit species. Species within the Nepenthes genus want an equal mixture of sphagnum moss, perlite, and orchid bark.

Sarracenia species do greatest in a specifically formulated carnivorous plant soil or a mixture made out of equal components coconut coir and perlite.

For those who want a shovel that will help you take away the specimen from its present container, make certain it’s good and clear. Similar with any pruners that you just use to wash up the roots.

Wipe them with isopropyl alcohol or wash them in scorching, soapy water. For those who’re reusing a pot, sanitize that, too.

You possibly can place a display over the drainage holes to forestall the medium from working out, however don’t put any “drainage” supplies on the backside.

Rocks or damaged pottery on the backside of a container gained’t enhance the drainage. It truly holds water near the roots, defeating the aim.

Take away the Plant

Gently take away the specimen from its present container.

You would possibly want to make use of a butter knife to softly loosen the soil or roots from the edges of the pot. It might additionally assist to roll the pot on its facet to loosen up the roots and medium.

Some gardeners suggest that you just keep away from tilting pitcher vegetation as a result of a few of the liquid contained in the pitchers will inevitably be misplaced.

I’m extra involved about eradicating the basis ball in a manner that doesn’t harm the roots and foliage. The pitchers can refill themselves or you’ll be able to present them with a little bit of liquid to assist them out.

However if you wish to retain the liquid, don’t roll the container on its facet. If the specimen is tough to take away you would possibly need to enlist a helper who can assist the leaves and pitchers as you’re employed.

I’ll generally use a fork to insert into the facet of the soil to drag the entire root ball out. You don’t need to seize the leaves as a result of they’re fragile, so if the pitcher plant doesn’t come out, a fork or small shovel could be mandatory.

If the soil or moss across the roots is fluffy and free, you’ll be able to maintain it and add it to the brand new pot. But when it’s compacted or damaged down, you’ll want to switch it utterly.

Gently brush away as a lot of the present soil from the basis ball as you’ll be able to and study the roots, however use excessive care.

The roots are delicate and intensely delicate. Rigorously snip off any which might be damaged or rotten.

If you wish to propagate by way of division, now could be the right time. Gently tease a number of stems and roots aside from the mother or father and repot these in their very own containers.

Repotting

Gently set the specimen within the new pot and fill across the roots with the chosen medium. Add water and high off with extra medium if it has settled.

You probably did it! If the pitchers misplaced their liquid in the course of the transfer, add a little bit of distilled water till they’re a few quarter full.

A Profitable Switch

You are able to do this! I do know pitcher vegetation could be a problem, however that’s a part of the enjoyable of cultivating these distinctive carnivorous species.

Now you could have the information to place your pitcher plant in a brand new container; you simply must seize the bull by the horns and do it.

In fact, not every thing will at all times go in accordance with plan and when you’ve got any questions or run into any bother, please be happy to hit us up within the feedback part under!

And if you happen to’d wish to be taught extra about cultivating pitcher vegetation, we’ve received you coated! Have a learn of those guides subsequent: