This whole dormancy thing is really confusing me.
I've heard it's mainly controlled by photoperiod, but then i read (and you guys have said) that you leave yours in a cold place. What would happen if you let them go dormant (with photoperiod) in a room that is around 65 degrees? Does it NEED to be near freezing?
Thanks for the help,
Aaron
edit-
*PS...i'm mainly worried about the following cps:
D. binata
D. filiformis
D. intermedia
D. rotundifolia
D. x obovata 'Ivan's Paddle'
Darlingtonia Californica
S. purpurea var. purpurea
sorry, i used to have that posted on my avatar thing...
---Cedar Rapids, IA
it can get down to -10 F in the winter.
Aaron,
Looks like you are zone 5..close to zone 4..thats pretty cold, too cold to overwinter VFTs and Sarracenia outdoors..I wouldnt risk it.
Check out my Fridge method and USDA zones page:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/scottychaos/CP/page2.html
thoughts on zones are at the bottom of the page.
Yes, reduced photoperiod and reduced temps are BOTH important..there has been some debate on which is MORE important, but IMO that debate is irrelevant...IMO BOTH are equally important, and both are very important, for a proper dormancy.
IMO, 65 degrees would be far too warm..the plants wont go truly dormant in those temps..they will still grow, even with reduced photoperiod..you need a winter temp of 35-50 degrees..I would shoot for 40 personally, I would consider 50 probably ok, but iffy, on the warm end of the scale..
This is why VFTs and Sarracenia cant really be grown indoors..they dont make good "windowsill" or terrarium plants..they need to be outdoors all season as photoperiod AND temps both gradually fall August-November..(photoperiod begins to reduce in JUNE!)
"going dormant" is a long slow process..it begins at the summer solstice in June when photoperiod begins to slowly decrease..it accelerates as temps gradually fall through the autumn, and by November the plants should be fully dormant..THAT is when they need to go in the frdge, or cool attic, or cool basement, if you live in a climate with severe winters..
(which you do)
a room meant for human habitation all winter, with heated air at 65-70 degrees, is just far too warm..
Sounds like nearly all your plants will need this kind of cool of dormancy..
sorry, but the windowsill isnt going to work..
Scot