 |
[Sundews - Drosera] [Pitchers - Sarracenia] [Traps - Dionaea Muscpula] [Pitchers - Cephalotus] [Does your plant seem ill?] |
| Darlingtonia Californica Seedling |
| This plant is often referred to as the Cobra Lily, obviously because of its cobra-like-head, with a tongue-like feature sticking out. It excells at catching flys and wasps etc.. The fly usually smells the sweet odour from the mouth of the plant and is attracted to it. It usually lands on the 'tongue' of the plant and feasts on the tiny bit of nectar the plant offers, then craving more, finds its way into the mouth of the pitcher. It then goes to the back of the head, to find a way out, but instead falls down to the digestive juices and suffers a slow death. If kept in the correct conditions this plant can be easy to keep. In part shade for as much of the day as possible. However, you really need to keep the root zone temperature down to a minimum. This may be done by use of icecubes - put them in the Darlingtonia's water, or - by putting a soda bottle filled with water in the freezer, then in the hottest part of the day hang it above the plant and it will drip cold water into the roots. You can also experiment... Follow these guidelines for the temperature of the plant: In Summer keep the plant in these conditions: 10 Celsius to 38 Celsius. In Winter keep the plant in these conditions: -11 Celsius to 10 Celsius. I pot my plants in 1:1 - Sphagnum Moss Peat:Perlite When choosing a pot for your plant, firstly choose one that will last the plant for a long time because they hate being repotted. Secondly I would advise you to use a terracotta pot, as they will keep the root zone temperature to a minimum. Personally I use 7 1/2 inch Terracotta pots. I use rain water all of the time. Mine are growing fine under a bench in a polytunnel. Then can be grown outside fine, but most people keep them in an unheated greenhouse in winter. |
 |
 |
| Darlingtonia Californica Adult |