FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

So picked up a Sarracenia leucophylla two weeks ago, and I've noticed some red splotches as well as some browning of the hoods on some of the pitchers. I'm not sure exactly what's going on with the plant, and I'm worried I'm doing something wrong.

I've got them outside in lots of direct sunlight (Silicon Valley, California), sitting in a tray distilled water, and I'm watering the roots with cold, distilled water every morning. The plant came from a carnivorous plant shop and was raised in a greenhouse-like environment, so I was thinking that it might just be shock from the new outdoor environment? I've got pictures below and would appreciate any thoughts! (Also is mineral oil okay for these? Common horticultural oil, I mean)

There are seven pitchers on it, and three seem to have this problem. The other four are doing just fine. Also, the pitchers that are in trouble aren't necessarily the largest/oldest- it seems like two of them are pretty new as they're smaller than the rest. (I just got the plant though, so I don't know for sure)

Finally, the red/brown splotching areas aren't full of insects. So it's not plant indigestion, I don't think.

Thanks in advance for the help folks!








Note- doesn't look like the images are showing, so here's the link: https://goo.gl/photos/aTWKzqnqRnfJqWM49
And I'll attach the images directly

So..no thoughts?

The splotches on the sides of the tubes are a little indigestion from insects. The burnt pitcher lid could be from insect damage or if you suddenly put the plants in stronger sunlight.

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The small red splotches are caused by damage to the plant and anthocyanin building up round the wound. 95% of the time it is a sap sucking aphid making a small hole that causes it, it is quite normal and nothing to worry about.
The large red splotch is indigestion if the tube is full of insects, they are above the digestive zone, rot down and the nutrients burn the wall of the pitcher, again perfectly normal.
Cheers
Steve

The above answers are correct, I bought a leucophylla and it did exactly the same thing, browned and the only two pitchers died but new ones replaced it within 2 weeks.

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Thanks for the replies everyone.

The interesting thing here is that the pitchers with the big red splotches aren't piled up with insects. Inside the tubes have turned brown and have dried out (though you can't totally tell from the outside). But there's no sign of any insects in them. Is that normal? Those tubes definitely look as though they're dying off.


The tops of the plants being burned from the increase in direct sun light makes a lot of sense though. Hopefully the new pitchers will be more resistant. I've slightly reduced the direct sun light they're getting in the late afternoon when it's at its worse, but, obviously, they need a lot of sun. So it is what it is.

Thanks again folks.

Oh- can you use horticultural oil on these for pest control?

KDLMaj wrote:Oh- can you use horticultural oil on these for pest control?

Neem Oil works great and is 100% safe. Not sure about mineral oil as I have never used it or looked into it.