Darlingtonia Californica is native to northern California and southern Oregon. A mature plant can grow from 6 "to 2 feet tall. This species resembles a cobra with its head ready to attack. It also has what looks like a forked tongue sticking out of its mouth. The hatch is a tube possessing glands secreting a nectar. The opening corresponds to the mouth, under the dome. The plant has several translucent regions on the dome, which surely give false hope, as to the number of possible outcomes. The tube is covered with small hairs directed downwards, which prevents the insect from coming out. The leaves are mostly green, but grown in the sun, they will turn red tints. Cut the dead leaves to make room for new growth. A red flower will be produced at the top of a long stem, in Spring around May. The plant generates new shoots from its roots which will come out of the soil to create new plants. The perfect mix is 1 part perlite to 3 parts sphagnum moss. You can also use a mixture of 3 parts perlite, one part sphagnum moss and one part volcanic rock. No need to fertilize, since the plant relies on insects for food. The key to successfully growing Darlingtonia Californica is to keep the soil cool. This can be accomplished by placing ice cubes on the surface of the soil, when the temperature exceeds 23 ° C. Use chilled water, and a light colored jar to reflect the light. Keep the pot in a saucer of water at all times during its growing season. The soil should be moist at all times, but not soggy. The water should be distilled or rainwater, since it does not tolerate tap water. Humidity should be between 60-80%. Hardiness zone 8, (-10 ° C / 15 ° F) in Winter. The plant can tolerate large variations in temperature. It will tolerate cold down to -10 ° C, as well as heat up to 27 ° C / 80 ° F. Grow in full sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon. Partial lighting throughout the day is adequate, as long as the plant and the soil do not overheat. Avoid shade throughout a day. Cobra Lily need seasons to live long term. They must be dormant for a period of 3 months in Winter, 8 ° C / 45 ° F is ideal. If you have real winters, leave your plant outside. Only protect it against dry winds and periods of intense cold. Otherwise, place it in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator for a period of 3 to 5 months, in a ziplock bag. The soil should be kept only moist.Sow directly on the surface of the soil, which is moist and not descended. These seeds should be subjected to cold stratification for a minimum of 2 months. When finished, cover the top of the pot with a clear plastic bag, so that the humidity remains high. Place the pot in a place where there will be strong light and keep an ideal temperature of 27 ° C / 80 ° F.When a few plants start to grow, slowly uncover the top of the pot, a little more each day, so as not to place the young plants under the stress of a drastic change in the humidity level. After cold stratification, germination takes about 2-4 weeks, but it could be longer, depending on how dormant is broken, don't give up. THIS LISITING IS FOR 5 SEEDS - SEE ADDITIONAL LISTING FOR GROW KIT
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