30 replies to this topic

[Amar]

I think they've died.

Yesterday, when I came home from work, they were shrivelled and droopy, maybe because it was really hot, or because, the day before I top watered them, and the water really gushed out fast, filling the pot, and prob. disturbing the roots by the speed the water came out...
I think I'll just leave them in the pot, and see what happens...

[Les]

i always top water mine seem to thrive on it, probably to hot mine are outside but not in direct sun
Les

[Amar]

Sheila said:

What sort of temperatures did they endure yesterday? Sounds unusual that they would shrivel that quickly. Top watering and the water rushing through shouldn't make any difference, they can happily live by moving water, it keeps the roots cool so it sounds like something else is going on.

well, it was quite humid and hot yesterday, was in full sun too. it really happened within one day.

[Amar]

Sheila said:

Are the plants used to being outside in the sun? Do you leave them standing in water all the time? I have known them to collapse when put in direct sun with no water in the tray.

they are always in water, I repotted them a while ago, perhaps I should not have, there were in a smaller terracotta pot, I put them into a bigger plastic pot. Didn't know then that plastic may be better for sarra, but not for the cobras..

[Amar]

Aidan said:

Darlingtonia are fine in plastic pots.

From your description it sounds as though the plants may have become overheated or perhaps dried-out if roots were disturbed. In either case, once this happens death can be instantaneous. They are highly unlikely to recover.

Grow Darlingtonia in semi-shade, which is how they are mostly found in nature.

Ok, I've removed them out of the sun, will just keep the soil wet, and see what happens. Who knows, they might come again. :)

Thanks for the replies.

[Stefan P.]

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[jimscott]

Here's something to consider... it was once suggested to me to try a cobra lily in what is essentially the Slack method (double pot) approach. So here is a picture of a recently acquired DIY plant with its pot resting upon a deeper pot, placed at a window sill, given a little top-watering every day.



Seems to work.

[jimscott]

Yes.... I know... I have a penchant for attracting squirrels, birds, aphids, neighborhood children, and intense rain when attempting to keep cobra lilys, VFT's, Sarracenias, Droseras, and Pings outsdie. Until I can protect them, I have most inside, either at windows or under artificial lighting. My disasters are legendary!

But I hear ya, Fred.

[Amar]

Jim, mature answer. :)

[jimscott]

FredG said:

Jim,

Looks like you need a gun, some bug spray and a few spiked pitfalls.

I could send you the clogs and Yfronts to stop the rain  

Spiked pitfalls? Qu'est-ce que c'est-ca? Right now we need a rain dance to re-start the rain. We haven't had much in the past week+.

[jimscott]

Spiked pitfalls must be another one of those UK ideomatic expressions, along with gutted, chheky, and carboot.... I think I get the general idea, but can post a picture of one of these lacerating pitfalls?

[Amar]

Well, I'm waiting for 2 more plants I've ordered. I do believe my first plant died because it just got too hot for it. But what I know of the Cobras is that they need their soil in the shade and above the soil they should be in the sun. Or maybe partly sunny. If my plants only get indirect sunlight, nonetheless outside on my balcony, can they still be happy?