Dormancy... well, most CPs need dormancy every fall-winter, with the exception of a few plants, such as the Nepenthes. I'm only experienced with dormancy with VFTs and purpreas, but I do know this: dormancy is necessary for most CPs every year, starting around the Octoberish area. I live in Florida, which, surprisingly, IS cold enough during the fall and winter(around 30* F.)to induce dormancy without putting the plants in the fridge, so I just leave them out and let them do it on their own. If you leave them outside, decrease their water(i.e., don't let the soil stay as wet as you normally would. Just keep it a little moist. Never dry)and don't feed them anything. Remember, unless the weather gets wayyyy below freezing or something, it's not too cold for them. Give them only about an hour to two hours of direct sunlight a day and lower the humidity level. Basically, dormancy is a time of ''Hibernation'' for CPs, so they will grow extremely slow, if at all. They will also form shorter, ground leaves(in the case of VFTs)called ''Fall leaves''. After about three months, around January, slowly increase the watering rate for them, and start slowly increasing their time in direct sun, and raise the humididty level. Over time(a few weeks), they will start growing regular, tall leaves(in the case of VFTs), called ''Spring leaves'' and they will start growing rapidly.
I don't know very much about the fridge method, so, if you need to use this method, I'll let the ''Fridge Pros'' of the forum tell you about that.
Good luck!
FTG
firstly, do ALL CPs have a dormancy period? what actually happens to the plant during the dormancy period? does it die back or something? How do you induce dormancy and for how long? I have read something about putting VFTs in the refrigerator or such....I am not completely onboard with this whole dormancy business yet.I would sure like to hear some good basic info to prepare me for the fall and winter so I know what to expect!!!! I must admit that I hate the thought of my plants dying back and sitting in a fridge but what ever has to be done I will do!!!!
