Silly question about Bog plant???????

Question

I have a bog plant (Sarracenia Purpurea) which I bought this year and have in a pot next to the pond in very shallow water. It's been fine, it's just that I thought it's time to bring it in doors for the winter. I turned it up side down to empty the rain water from the trumpet-type leaves and it smelt pretty bad. I know it's an insect catcher so it's got dead insects in it but is it normal for it to whiff a bit? Other than that it's in good health, just wasn't sure if this was normal.
Thanks in advance : )
ps Now I know why it's called a 'bog' plant, 'cos it smells like one! lol

Answer 1

Some people have noted that Sarracenia pitchers often exude a smell, usually because of the rotting insects trapped in the pitchers. In my experience only a few have a strong stink from prey. Those that do are usually overloaded by excessive prey, and are in fact suffering pitcher damage from the rotting prey. I do not think that stink from pitchers is a typical feature that is used to attract prey, but I would like to be proven wrong.

Answer 2

Don't worry about the smell, it is after all a carnivorous plant - so it's not surprising that it's breath smells a bit! And no - it's not a silly question - there are some water plants that give off smells that are repellent to us but highly attractive to insects.

However, I'm surprised that you want to take it indoors as it's a very cold hardy plant and we sometimes mother these things to death (see link: http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week227.shtml)

Answer 3

Yep, that's the nature of pitcher plants collecting water that becomes stagnant. The added critter carcasses being dissolved by the plant's digestive juices in those "pitchers" is a little olfactory bonus

Answer 4

it`s natural its caused by decomposistion without air