Carnivorous plants in TX

I want to know if anyone is growing various CP plants outdoors in the DFW area of TX. I keep reading differing accounts of whether this is possible. Is it too dry and hot or will they adapt somewhat if I acclimate them and make sure they have good growing conditions? Any Texans out there that have actually tried this?

Hello,

I have grown Venus Fly Traps outside in Lubbock Texas for the last 2 summers. I will attempt to overwinter them outside this year.

Check out the Carnivorous Plant Forum here on DG.

http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=8&zenid=d0b1a4cb2eb31a764995687a41323fd2

Welcome to DG!

I have been on that forum, not alot of activity. I am going to attempt to do the same and next year order a few more plants.
Cheryl

Cheryl, here is an interesting link that may have some useful info for you..

http://www.sarracenia.com/faq.html

and another http://en.allexperts.com/q/Carnivorous-Plants-711/Protecting-outside-bog.htm

and one more http://www.carnivorousplantnursery.com/info/growingnepenthes.htm

This message was edited Aug 29, 2009 9:53 AM

This message was edited Aug 29, 2009 9:55 AM

Thanks I can use all the information I can get.
Cheryl
BTW do you grow any pitcher plants outside, all that I have read indicates they do better than many other CP's.

Yes, I do. I have 4 young ones that I set up in pots in a large saucer with rain water and gravel. They were in bad shape when i got them, but were listed at 75% off, so I thought I would try. They are coming around and putting out new growth. They will have to go in the greenhouse this winter though I think.

This message was edited Aug 29, 2009 10:49 AM

Hmm, according to "the experts" online they should winter outside. I am new to TX or pretty new but I remember S. purpurea back in MI and they stayed out in some horribly cold weather. I want to eventually make a bog of some kind and leave the plants outdoors year round. Wonder if it will work?
Cheryl

it should work quite well. I have a cold greenhouse that offers protection from frost and wind only. Since these guys are so tiny I figured I'd give them a bit of help over the first winter for sure. I think that being in the ground is the major difference...these pots are 3 inch and won't offer much in the way of root protection.

I debated about buying some and then wintering them but decided to wait til spring and start fresh. I know the company I will order from keeps their plants outside but I am still leary of buying them this late and having them make it through the winter in their little pots.
Cheryl

My thoughts exactly. When they stay outside for winter it will be in the ground in a peat bog in the sun, at least morning sun.

I am looking for an old bathtub to use as a bog but so far they are too expensive, what are you thinking of using?

I thought I would get one of the small molded plastic pond inserts, or even a kid's wading pool....whatever is cheapest and easiest to sink in the ground a bit.

Would a kiddy pool be tough enough to have dirt up around it? They are a lot cheaper than the black ponds they sell at the garden centers. I have one small black animal water trough but it seems too flexable to sink into the ground. I might start looking for kiddy pools onsale.
Cheryl

They would hold up because they will be filled with the peat/soil mix for the plants and lots of water.