Darlingtonia Californica * Cobra Lily * Carnivorous California Pitcher Plant * Rare * 5 Seeds *

THIS LISTING IS FOR 5 SEEDS OF DARLINGTONIA CALIFORNICA Cobra Lilies are native of Northern California and Southern Oregon. The size is from 6" to 2 feet tall on a fully grown plant. This species looks like a cobra with it head expanded ready to strike, and it even has what looks like a forked tongue coming from the mouth. The trap is a twisted upright tube with nectar glands that attract towards the mouth, which is under the dome. It has many translucent areas over the dome, which must give false hope to the insect has to how many ways out of the dome. The tube has slippery downward pointing hairs, which a insect cannot normaly get out from. The leaves are mostly green, but grown in full sun will have red coloration. Clip off dead leaves to make way for flower buds and new leaf growth. It will produce a reddish flower on a long stem in the Spring, around May. The plant also sends under ground runners which have another plant at the end. The ideal soil mix is 1 part perlite to 3 parts long fiber sphagnum moss. If long sphagnum moss is not available, then use 3 parts perlite to 1 part peat moss and 1 part lava rock. There's no need to fertilize, as the plant relies on insects for food. A key to the success of growing Darlingtonia Californica is to keep the soil cool. This can be accomplished by placing ice cubes on the surface of the compost each day. Use refrigerated water on the plant and light colored pots to reflect the heat from the pot. Keep pot in a shallow tray of water at all times in is growing period. The soil should be wet at all times, but not water logged. Water must be distilled or rain water because they do not tolerate well city or hard water. The humidity should be between 60-80%. Hardiness zone 8, (-10°C/15°F) in Winter. The plant can take a wide range in temperatures, it will tolerate frosts of -10°C as well as hot Summer heat of about 27°C/80°F. Grow outside in direct morning sun with shading from the hot afternoon sun. Partial direct sunlight throughout the day is fine as long as the soil never overheats. Avoid full shade throughout the day. The Cobra Lilies require seasons in order to survive long term. They need to go dormant for at least 3 months in the Winter time, 8°C/45°F is ideal. If you have real Winters, leave your Cobra outside it will do fine. Protect from dry freezing wind during deep freezes by covering the plant with black plastic. Uncover the plant when the deep freeze and dry freezing wind is over. Otherwise, place it in the salad crisper compartment of your refrigerator for 3-5 months in a ziplock bag. Dont overwater the plant it should be kept moist but never dry out.