FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I found a tiny sarracenia seedling in one of my pots that I have outside. I'm in zone 7 and never grown sarracenia from seed before (some of my plants flowered this year). It's so small I'm thinking that it only recently germinated although I thought they had to go through stratification first. Can it stay outside for the winter or should I bring it indoors and skip dormancy this year?
If I can leave it outside is there anything I should do to winterize it? It's currently in a 4" pot, is this size ok for small sarracenia to stay in over winter outside? Thanks

A lot depends on what sort of Sarracenia it is, and at that size its almost impossible to say. For instance, minors, and purpurea rosea, dont like the cold too much and mine die if left out in the UK winters.
I guess your zone goes down to something like -15C in winter, which is cold for most Sarracenia but mine have done -18C before and come through OK, however, having said that they are in, in-ground (high mass) bogs. What kills them, generally, is frequent freeze/thaw cycles and desiccant winds. Now a 4" pot will freeze and thaw comparatively quickly, so a lot depends on how many freezing nights and above-freezing days you get.
To be safe I would try and give it protection this year at least and repot in spring into a larger pot.
Cheers
Steve

What is the plant hardiness zone for your location?

Zone 7, we can get to 10°F

I would try to keep the seedling above freezing (say, 40-55°F range), if for no other reason than it will get a faster start in the spring.

Thank you

A little guy like that you could grow inside all winter, skipping dormancy. Well fed with a 20+ hour day, and you will be shocked how big it will be by Spring.