FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I'm new to CP's and I live in Wisconsin I'd like to grow some Sars and VFTs outside. I can't really dig an in-ground bog and perhaps am leaning toward a large container for a planter but then come the questions. If I've physically planted the plants in a large container, do I have to move the entire planter inside to prevent it from freezing solid or can it be trimmed, mulched and covered and remain outside over winter? I live in North America zone 5.

Sarracenia purpurea is the only Sarr that can handle Wisconsin Winters.
VFTs cannot handle Winter here without going to semi-extreme measures.

Good growing,
Mike

hey tmann51 I live in northern MI zone 5 and i have VFT and Sarrs, but yeah I have to bring them in once the nighttime temps go below freezing and I keep them in an unheated bedroom (about 50°-60°) with a large south facing window, they started coming out of dormancy about the end of Feb. I will start adjusting them to outside temps and sun pretty soon.

tmann51 wrote: If I've physically planted the plants in a large container, do I have to move the entire planter inside to prevent it from freezing solid or can it be trimmed, mulched and covered and remain outside over winter? I live in North America zone 5.

If you want to grow carnivorous plants outside you have a few of choices. #1) Plant whatever you want and do like m80torpedo3 does or move to a garage or a cool basement or what-have-you but it must be protected. #2) Plant whatever you want and dig up the plants in the fall and then clean them up and overwinter them in the fridge. #3) Plant plants that can survive in a pot outside in zone 5.

I don't think I'd have a room in the house with southern exposure and 50-60 degrees. Unheated garage would be as cold as outside maybe? Has anyone ever left VFTs potted, plastic bagged and refrigerated, then pulled them out in February? I'd almost think that I've got enough south windows to grow VFT in all season long in full sun. I could put S. purpurea outside in a container, mulch and cover it and be good to go.

As long as the garage doesn't go below freezing it should be fine and flytraps will survive without dormancy but will eventually decline. I have heard of the refrigerator dormancy working but have never tried it. yes the S. purpurea would do fine like that.

The plants will survive freezing just fine, mine were in a dark, frozen garage all winter. They were frozen solid the majority of the three months they were in there. The problem is freeze/ thaw cycles and desicating winds. When they freeze and thaw repeatedly it weakens the plant tissue, that's when rot likes to step in.

They will also be fine doing a fridge dormancy, if you only have a few plants. To many and it becomes a bigger headache than what it's worth. That's why mine were in the garage this year.

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I've gotten a lot of good info on this and I like what you said. Presently, my game plan will be to plant S. purpurea in a semi permanent container and winter it outside. I might even put temperate Drosera with the purpurea. I'll put other Sars in another container and put them in the garage. VFT and sundews will be inside year round and the flytraps will go in frig Oct through Feb.