A roundup of this year

The growing season this year started very early for us in Hampshire, with some exceptionally warm weather towards the end of April and beginning of May which was fantastic for Malvern and Chelsea flower show. But the plats started to go over much earlier than usual and it was a real struggle to select plants foe the flower shows later in the season especially Malvern Autumn! We have had a very busy year with all the shows winning best in show at Malvern spring! As well as gold at Chelsea, Hampton court, Tatton, Malvern autumn and platinum at BBC gardeners world. With such great achievements were hoping for the same or even better results at next years shows.

Our open weekend was a great success and we were able to meet old and new faces! We hope to add more open weekends next year so you will be able to see the plants growing during spring and early Summer

The greenhouse is being extended at the moment ready for next year to provide a larger growing area mainly for new sarracenia forms and hybrids, we are also hoping to extend the Nepenthes growing area , should be finished in a couple of weeks weather depending.

www.hantsflytrap.com

An update

Sorry for not posting over the past couple of months we've been busy with shows and preparing for the open weekend.

Its been a busy year and we have been to quite a few shows this year with really good results! At our 20th year at Malvern spring we were awarded best in show which was a great start for us. We were pleased to get our 19th gold at Chelsea with our first island display as well as being featured on the TV and even showing Princess Beatrice the display.
We have also got our 19th gold at Hampton Court so this year has been very successful and hopefully we can have the same result for next year. Now we are focusing on making sure the plants look great for the show to come.

Gold medal at this years rhs Hampton court flower show #rhshampton #sarracenia #nepenthes #pitcherplant #hantsflytrap #insecteater #venusflytrap #flowers

A post shared by Hampshire Carnivorous Plants (@hampshirecarnivorousplants) on Jul 4, 2017 at 2:46pm PDT

Please don't forget that the open weekend is coming up on the 12 and 13th of August and we would really like to see you there! With a wide range of quality plants as well as books, compost and sundry items and a chance to see the outdoor RHS Sarracenia trial. It's free admission and refreshments will be provided.

Hampshire Carnivorous Plants
Stroudwood Nursery
Stroudwood Lane
Lower Upham
Southampton
SO32 1HG

Hampshire carnivorous plants open weekend the 12&13th of August. The widest range of carnivorous plants available in the uk as well as books, compost and sundry items and a chance to see the outdoor RHS sarracenia trial! Free admission and refreshments provided

A post shared by Hampshire Carnivorous Plants (@hampshirecarnivorousplants) on Jul 24, 2017 at 8:51am PDT

www.hantsflytrap.com

The Greenhouse

Everything is growing really well at the moment, Sarracenia, Drosera and Dionaea are really flying away and you can almost see them grow by the day. We are using a lot of rainwater at the moment as we do every Spring but this year we have had very little rain for what seems like weeks now, we could really do with some in the next few weeks. 

Meanwhile, not forgetting the Nepenthes we have a few very nice large Nepenthes hybrids potted in hanging baskets available now on the website which are well worth a look. If you are looking for an impressive large Nepenthes to fill a gap in a tropical greenhouse, these are the plants for you.

N. CV Rebecca Soper

N. CV Bloody Mary

N. CV Louisa

N.CV Linda

N. x ventrata

www.hantsflytrap.com

Update on the plants

The warm weather has been great for the plants, most of the Sarracenia have flowered and we are now starting to crossbreed the Sarracenia. As for the Flytraps and Sundews they have new traps and are looking good for our first show of the year Malvern.

We are also very excited for Chelsea flower show where we will create our first island display of Sarraceina hybrids and species. It may be the largest display of Sarracenia ever! We hope that the plants are looking their best and that you can come and see the display it really will be something special as we have been preparing plants for this show for the last two or three years. Also the BBC are coming to the nursery and the show to film, which will be great.

Spring has sprung!

The weather is warming up now and it seems like today has been the warmest this year!

As for the plants, they are really starting to move now, the unheated greenhouse is full of Sarracenia buds I think the first flower will open sometime next week. All the temperate plants ie. Venus Fly Traps, Sarracenia, Sundews and Cobra Lilies are now standing in around an inch or so of rainwater and we will keep this topped up from now until the end of the growing season (November time).

(Left) Sarracenia alata flower buds about to open.

(Middle) Dionaea muscipula Akai ryu putting on new growth.

(Right) All of last years traps have been cut back now from the Sarracenia plants, to allow the new growth plenty of light this helps strong healthy growth.

Now is a great time to buy Sundews as they are just starting to come out of Winter dormancy and are at their strongest. Our Sundews have been unheated over winter and have been down to as low as -2c.

  

(Left) Drosera admirablis Neat rosette forming sundew, ideal for unheated greenhouse.

(Middle) Drosera capensis alba This is a really easy to grow sundew, and THE ideal beginners plant.

(Right) Drosera filiformis just starting to come out of Winter dormancy.

New Payment Gateway

We are using a new payment gateway called Klarna. Klarna checkout is quick and easy to complete and you will only need to enter absolutely necessary details.

Customers can use familiar payment methods, or benefit from Klarna’s ‘pay after delivery’ option, meaning they will be able to receive their goods and pay 14 days later, interest free.
Using pay after delivery, customers can complete purchases without having to enter card details or remember passwords. Mobile shoppers can experience true one-click purchases across all stores using Klarna.

You will still be able to use paypal or bank transfer if you wish.

Open Weekend Date

The dates for our next open weekend will be on the 12th & 13th of August 2017 from 10am to 4pm each day refreshments provided, and a wide range of plants available for the beginner to the keen collector including many rare forms, well worth a look.

We are at -

Stroudwood Nursery 

Stroudwood Lane

Lower Upham

Southampton

SO32 1HG

www.hantsflytrap.com

Update on our plants

The plants don't look their best this time of year but don't panic! Just cut back all the dead and brown leaves keeping the plants tidy and leave the green ones. New leaves will start to grow around the end of February.

Our temperate plants, venus flytraps, Sarracenia and hardy sundews  have been down to -3c in the unheated green house this week, they need to rest so do not be tempted to bring them inside.

www.hantsflytrap.com

Cephalotus winter care

Winter care for Cephalotus

This overcast, damp foggy weather we have had here on the nursery this last week can be the kiss of death for Cephalotus. Be vigilant and remove any dead pitchers or leaves, these are best pulled out gently rather than cut off. 

Remember to keep the plants just damp rather than wet on capillary matting (available on our website). 

At this time of year never overhead spray the plants with water and make sure no water dripping onto the plants from above as this could cause rot or botrytis (grey mould).

We keep our plants unheated over the winter and have had temperatures as low as -9c! Plants have been fine as long as they are not too wet. By keeping these plants at lower temperatures you will find your plants are more colourful.

www.hantsflytrap.com

Greenhouse cleaning

We have been cleaning the glasshouse glass inside and out for the new year to get plenty of light in for the Spring growth.

www.hantsflytrap.com