Edmund Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 Hi guys, Once again, looking for a little help......hopefully at some point I may be able to offer advice too! I am about to repot my Sarracenias and am a little confused as to whether to cut all of last years growth off or not? I have been pruning dead pitchers through dormancy but most of the traps seem relatively green and healthy although maybe a little tired. Would it be best to cut all of the traps off when I repot or keep them on? Would leaving traps on inhibit the plant to grow as many new traps as when they wold all be cut back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmund Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 To be honest I have the same question for my VFT's, some of which (not pictured) have not even started to brown! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmund Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 May as well add a picture to show what I mean... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 (edited) Nobody cuts them off in the wild :-) Some clones hold on to their leaves better than others. Often they start to brown in spring when new growth comes (which won't be affected). Dormancy is often just suspended animation, not a complete die off. You can cut them down to the ground if you want, but anecdotally the following year's pitchers don't grow as big. Edited January 9, 2020 by Alexis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobH Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 Hi Edmund Leave the still green pitchers on the Sarracenias and the VFTs as long as you can but cut off anything that is brown or black. The green pitchers or phyllodia are still providing nourishment to the plant as a whole. If you cut these off you are depriving the plant of some nourishment and it may then be smaller next year. Here is a recent short youtube video from Matt Soper of Hampshire Carnivorous Plants showing how and why to trim your plants: Cutting Back Sarracenia for Winter. Kind regards, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmund Posted January 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 Thanks guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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