Giant Pitcher Plant is often the first plant that comes to mind when discussing carnivorous plants. However, as with most beautiful things in nature, there are many other kinds of carnivorous plants that can be equally beautiful and productive if you know what to look for. Growing carnivorous plants is an informative guide to cultivating and identifying these amazing plants in your garden.
First let’s start with some basic information. In the United States there are more than 250 carnivorous plants. In the vegetable and fruit plant world, there are only a handful of truly carnivorous plants – the Venus Flytrap, Pennyroyal, Spider, Hosta, Brichana, Mimicosa, Ceramela, etc. In the flower plant world, there are only a few true carnivorous plants, namely roses, thyme, begonias and carnations.
The primary focus of this article is growing carnivorous plants properly. So, let’s get started. Like most carnivorous plants, a giant pitcher plant requires full sunlight to thrive. You can grow them even in areas with intense shade, but the results will be less rewarding. So give them the best possible conditions in your growing area by planting them in the shade – or, better yet, in a location that gets a little bit of sun every day.
You will find that these plants are pretty easy to maintain. Just water them regularly with a good quality, non-chlorinated water-based fertilizer. They do require a fair amount of pruning, so you may wish to train them into certain shapes – some prefer to cascade, some like to hang over fences, and others like to grow up towards the edges of trellises and arbors. But the main thing is to never pinch off any of their leaves – this causes them to become very vulnerable to fungal attack.
Don’t give up on the idea of pruning, however. After a certain stage of growth – say about 2 years – it’s okay to trim back a few leaves and roots and re-pot. This rejuvenates them for new plant growth. Pruning helps to keep the plant healthy and strong. And it adds plenty of dimension to its appearance.
One of the benefits of having plants in your garden is that they help to recycle nutrients from the soil. Each plant has its own unique way of getting its nutrients – through pollination, aeration, absorption, etc. If your garden is simply full of dead plants, there is no point in adding more living ones!
If you are a beginner and just want to get started with this wonderful hobby, buy a well drained soil that has been tilled well. The best potting medium is medium clay or sand. This medium is extremely absorbent, and it will hold enough water to allow the plant to prosper. It’s also porous, so air can circulate easily – just don’t over-water it. A well-drained container will retain sufficient moisture to let the plant recover fully after each watering.
Once the plant starts to grow, there is no stopping it. It reaches full size in as little as three years. For those who are serious, Giant pitcher plants make beautiful, nutritious blooms – perfect for cutting into and adding to your flowerbeds. They can even be trained to grow upside down if you place them in pots on the side.
Care For Plant Growth You should give special care to the leaves and branches. They are very fragile – they may break off and die easily. Use a strong wire brush to remove any weeds that occur when the plant starts to grow. Use fertilizers and water frequently but do not over-fertilize or you will encourage root failure. Keep the plant cool and dry, and protect it from wind by hanging it in your shade.
Growing Tips You should have plenty of knowledge about plants before you begin planting your Giant Pinstriping Plants. Read up on how to care for plants, and read up on the varieties of Giant Pinstriping Plants that you’ll be growing. There are virtually hundreds of different species out there – it’s easy to become confused. I’ve done my best to explain the basics of each type. The more you know, the easier things will become.
When choosing a plant, keep in mind how it will be used. Choose something that is going to be able to handle cold weather conditions. Don’t settle for one that needs a lot of maintenance – you’ll probably end up killing it. Your local nursery will have more information on what to look for.