What’s the best method to water your Purple pitcher plant?
One way to keep your Purple pitcher plant adequately moistened is to grow it in a pot with good drainage holes and in a plastic dish or tray that will allow you to fill it to about a third to half an inch of water. This will naturally draw water from the pot to the roots as the soil dries.Don’t let the dish dry out completely and adjust how much you add based on how quickly the plant draws the water into its roots. Pots made from hardened clay called terra cotta are not suitable for growing the Purple pitcher plant unless you place the pot inside a second, bigger pot. The terra cotta will allow water to seep through and filter out dissolved solids. Put the water only in the second, outer pot. The most important thing in watering your Purple pitcher plant adequately is the mineral content of the water you use. Collect rainwater if you can for your Purple pitcher plant. It is the safest of any water to use on plants. Distilled water and water from a reverse osmosis system are good alternatives. You can use purified water which also works but has some minerals in it but in a range the Purple pitcher plant tolerate. Tap water with lower than 50 parts per million of total dissolved solids is safe. You can buy a meter to measure that for just a little money. You’ll want to fill your watering device 24 hours before you use it to give the chlorine a chance to off-gas from the water.
What should I do if I water Purple pitcher plant too much/too little?
Symptoms of an overwatered Purple pitcher plant are brown spots forming on the undersides of leaves, white mold developing in the soil, and a general wilted look. The wilted look comes from the plant’s inability to draw water into the stem. Overwatering can cause root rot. If it’s rotted, and smells bad, you’ll want to remove the plant from its soil, rinse it with distilled water, cut away the rotted roots and affected leaves, rinse it again with distilled water, and replant in new soil. The leaves of an underwatered plant will become brittle. Cut away affected leaves, make sure the soil is damp, and mist the leaves. For underwatered Purple pitcher plant, the plant will gradually recover by resuming watering as soon as possible, but due to root damage, yellow leaves will dry out in the short term.
How often should I water my Purple pitcher plant?
Tray method is the most common way of watering insectivorous plants. Potting Purple pitcher plant in something with several drainage holes and placing that in a dish or tray filled about one-third with water will allow the plant to naturally draw water up as the soil dries. Add water promptly after the water level drops. Don’t let the dish dry out completely. This will give you a better sense of how often the plants are watered. The Purple pitcher plant is native to humid environment, so you’ll need to strike the right balance between watering to the point of developing root rot and letting the soil dry out . During the active seasons – spring to autumn – don’t let the soil dry out. Water your Purple pitcher plant 2-3 times per week in spring and fall, and more frequent watering in summer to keep the soil mosit. Purple pitcher plant goes dormant when during the winter and early spring. If you care for one the same way that you care for it during its active season, you will likely kill it. You’ll need to cut back on the amount that you water it. Try letting some of the soil dry out as well as letting the water level in the tray dry out for a few days before adding more. If you live where the air is naturally dry, you may find that misting it above and beyond what you feed it is necessary to replicate its natural humid growing conditions. It works best to do this in the morning. Proper water spraying is very necessary for areas with a dry environment.
How much water does my Purple pitcher plant need?
Purple pitcher plant normally lives in humid environment and are prized as houseplants because they one of a handful of carnivorous plants. Successfully keeping one alive will require that you need to replicate its native growing conditions. Maintaining high humidity levels is key to growing a thriving Purple pitcher plant. The places these plants naturally thrive are high in humidity and low in nutrients. If you live in a place with naturally high humidity, you can grow them outdoors in a bog garden. A bog garden is a unique way to present plants that require lots of humidity together. Most people grow them as houseplants. Use a pot that will retain moisture to cut down on the number of waterings you need to do. Plastic is much better for this than terra cotta. A self-watering pot works best of all. As an insectivorous plant, the tray method is the most effective way to replenish water. Make sure that the water level in the tray pots spreads over the small hole at the bottom. Add water in time before the water level drops and the trays dry out. The amount of water added is the amount of water the plants need to keep the pots from drying out, so your Purple pitcher plant can keep growing well.
Should I water Purple pitcher plant differently when I plant it indoors but not outdoors?
Purple pitcher plant growns indoor will generally requires less water because they receive less sunlight. The more light it receives, the more water it’ll require to grow. Adequate light and water are the basis for keeping them healthy. But, you’ll still want to maintain a humid environment for an indoor plant. A good option for maintaining humid conditions is to grow them in a terrarium or as part of a plant display in an aquarium. The encased sides will keep vital humid air from escaping. Just make sure you maintain good circulation.
Does my Purple pitcher plant need to be pruned?
The usual goal for the Purple pitcher plant is to have it grow as big and full as possible. While the plant doesn’t require consistent trimming, it can benefit by removing old flowers and any damaged, dead, or diseased leaves. You can also trim back the leaves if it is starting to get too big for the pot and space you are keeping it.
When is the best time to prune my Purple pitcher plant?
Purple pitcher plant don’t have a winter dormancy cycle at the suitable temperature. With that said, their growth does slow down as the days get shorter, however the leaves don’t die. What does that mean for pruning? It means there’s no specific season where it’s better to prune. Ideally, you will want to wait until the flower blooms before pruning it, which can take about a month after the appearance of the blossom. With deadheading, you’ll want to do this around late spring or when only a few of the blossoms have faded. You should always prune brown or yellow leaves when you notice them. Throughout the growing phase, make sure to pay close attention to any potential diseased leaves and remove these as necessary.
What should I do after pruning my Purple pitcher plant?
Once you’ve pruned your plant, you should dispose of the stems and leaves either by composting the healthy ones or throwing out the diseased parts. You can also fertilize just before or after pruning, which gives Purple pitcher plant a little vitamin boost that can provide it the nutrients needed to better protect itself from any nearby pathogens or diseases. You don’t need much after care when you’re done pruning. It might benefit from light watering and some liquid plant food to encourage new blooms and growth.
How can I prune my Purple pitcher plant during different growth stages?
Chances are you’re not getting the Purple pitcher plant from seed, which means you’re already getting a mature plant. Since the plant doesn’t have a true dormancy cycle, there are really only two phases: blooming and non-blooming. While the plant is blooming, you should only remove yellow or dead leaves and cut off any brown tips on the leaves. Avoid doing too much pruning during this time as it can stress the plant. Still, you should remove any diseased or dead leaves to keep your plant presentable. The best time to prune is after the blossoms have already wilted. You can remove both the spent blossoms and any old and yellowed leaves at the same time. If you’re noticing a large amount of yellow leaves, you might be overwatering your plant or not giving it enough nutrients. While yellow or brown leaves don’t always mean there’s an issue, if you notice a large amount of leaves shifting colors, it usually means there’s a problem with the plant.
How can I prune my Purple pitcher plant during different seasons?
As an evergreen plant, Purple pitcher plant doesn’t have the same cycles as those found in colder areas. The leaves will remain green throughout the year, which is one of the many reasons it is a popular houseplant. If you want to deadhead, you should do so after the blossoms have already wilted. Throughout the growing phase, make sure to pay close attention to any potential diseased leaves and remove these as necessary.
Are there any instructions for pruning my Purple pitcher plant?
How you prune the Purple pitcher plant will depend on whether you’re performing general care or deadheading. For general care, simply cut off the blossoms that have already died. Make sure to get as close to the base as possible and snip at a 45-degree angle. Repeat this for all stalks with wilting blooms. After that, trim back any outer leaves that are old and yellowing. If you simply want to thin the plant out, start with the outermost leaf and work your way in. Avoid removing more than 30 percent of the leaves at once. Throughout the growing phase, make sure to pay close attention to any potential diseased leaves and remove these as necessary.
What type of sunlight does Purple pitcher plant need?
Purple pitcher plant thrives best in natural, direct, outdoor sunlight. Exposure to full natural sunlight allows it to grow healthy and to its full size and display attractive coloration; depending on the species, these can be different shades of reds, crimson, pink, or purplish. However, even with the full sun preference, Purple pitcher plant should ideally be protected from the harshest sun - the summer mid-afternoon sun. Even plants adapted to full sunlight can suffer when exposed to this sun radiation level. That is why you should be able to move your plants or install something that will provide partial, dappled shade during this part of the day. An important thing to remember is that evaporation increases significantly in the direct sun. Since Purple pitcher plant is wetland plant, maintaining constant moisture is mandatory. Thus, pay attention to the water levels in the water trays during warm days and refill regularly.
What will happen if Purple pitcher plant gets inadequate sunlight?
If Purple pitcher plant receives too little sunlight, below the required daily minimum, the first thing you’ll notice is discoloration. The plants will first become purely green, losing red, orange, or pinkish colors, and then become even duller. Those that produce moist and sticky insect-attracting sap may have trouble making these substances. In the long run, the Purple pitcher plant will grow poorly in low light, the new growth will be weak, and they may have a shorter lifespan.
Are there special sunlight requirements for Purple pitcher plant during different growth stages?
Young and mature plants of Purple pitcher plant have pretty much the same lighting requirements. However, for non-tropical species, there is a seasonal difference in lighting needs, especially concerning the duration of light. During the winter rest, 10-12 hours of indirect light per day is ideal. However, a dormant Purple pitcher plant should not receive more than this. Daylight lasting 14-16 hours would trick the plant into coming out of dormancy, which would have overall negative effects. Thus, make sure that your Purple pitcher plant have a sufficient period of darkness during the winter.
How much sunlight should Purple pitcher plant get per day for healthy growth?
Four to six hours of direct sun and six to eight (or more) hours of partial sun per day is an excellent measure for most Purple pitcher plant species. Ideally, the direct exposure should start in the morning and last until the afternoon in the summer, when the plants should get some cover from the most intense summer afternoon sun. Late afternoon sun exposure is perfectly fine.
How much light does Purple pitcher plant need for photosynthesis?
This intense need for sunlight might seem unusual for a wetland plant. However, remember that most of the Purple pitcher plant foliage is modified to attract and digest insects. Thus, less leaf surface is available for photosynthesis. Also, these plants come from warm, subtropical, and tropical climates and ecosystems with high, near-equator sun exposure.
Are there any cautions or tips for sunlight and Purple pitcher plant?
Suppose you have bought your Purple pitcher plant from a supermarket or another type of non-specialized store. In that case, the chances are that they have been receiving low or inappropriate artificial light and haven’t been adjusted to direct sunlight. In this case, the plant needs to be hardened off before exposure to real, direct sunlight. Start by gradually exposing your plants to sunlight, first keeping them in bright indirect light, then slowly increasing their exposure to direct light, about an hour per day. If you cannot provide the right natural light conditions for your Purple pitcher plant, the last resort is to grow them under artificial lighting. Although these plants are supposed to thrive under standard fluorescent lamps that emit cooler light, it may be safer to opt for specialized plant lights. Keep in mind that indoor plants are more susceptible to diseases.
Where should I position Purple pitcher plant to get adequate light?
The best position for growing Purple pitcher plant is an outdoor sunny spot. The outdoor position will ensure not only the best quality of light but also make the plant more resilient against infections. The UV rays from sunlight, along with the wind and precipitation exposure, will kill most fungal pathogens. If you need to grow your plant indoors, the second best position is a sunny window sill face to a south-facing window (east and west are also an option, as long as the plants receive 4+ hours of light).
What is the optimal temperature for Purple pitcher plant?
There is an ideal temperature range that makes Purple pitcher plant feel at home. Under these temperature conditions, it's unlikely that you’ll have any issues with cold or hot damage to the foliage, but changing leaf colors can absolutely be a sign that Purple pitcher plant isn’t happy. Try to keep your Purple pitcher plant well within its preferred range of 70-85℉(21-30℃), but don’t panic if the temperature creeps up past 85℉(30℃) during the day or down to 70℉(21℃) at night.
How can I protect Purple pitcher plant from extreme temperatures outdoors?
If your Purple pitcher plant happens to be planted outside, then there’s not much you can do to try to move it indoors. However, you can certainly provide cover in ways that will help it survive any extreme temperatures that may arise unexpectedly. For instance, you can always use a few stakes and some cloth to put together a shade tent that will block out much of the sun’s intense heat from direct sunlight exposure. Similarly, Purple pitcher plant can be protected from the extreme cold and especially chilly winds by building a small greenhouse around the plant, which will create a greenhouse effect and warm the plant up. This can be done using garden stakes and any sort of clear or translucent plastic you may have around; if you have greenhouse plastic such as polycarbonate laying around, this works perfectly. Remove the greenhouse once temperatures warm up to 40℉(10℃) at night.
Does Purple pitcher plant need different temperatures in different seasons?
Generally speaking, Purple pitcher plant needs to stay within its preferred temperature range all year long. However, that doesn’t mean that care should stay the same all year long. During the warmest months of the year, Purple pitcher plant will need a little extra shade and a bit more of a breeze to help it cope with the hottest days. On the other hand, it may need to be moved away from chilly windows and doors during the cooler months in climates where temperatures drop below 40℉(10℃) at any point in the year.
What is the best way to maintain the right temperature for my Purple pitcher plant?
Keeping your Purple pitcher plant at the right temperature can be fairly simple. Depending on where you grow it, Purple pitcher plant can be fairly easy to accommodate. For indoor growing, you can easily move the plant to different locations within your indoor space that best meet its temperature requirements. Avoid placing it near air conditioning vents, heaters, doors that open frequently, or drafty windows. It is a little more difficult to control the temperature around your Purple pitcher plant if it’s grown outside. Of course, if it’s planted in a pot, you can simply bring it indoors when the temperatures outside get too hot or too cold for Purple pitcher plant, but otherwise, you may need to take different measures to protect it from extreme heat or cold that may damage it irreversibly. Try placing Purple pitcher plant under cover to protect from both the harsh sun that can overheat it and any cold wind that could be potentially deadly for your plant.