**sniff sniff**... Umm, Ith My Cobwa Wiwy... Dead?? (uncontrollable crying..)

:) Probably not! There is much to consider in this post that can help with other plants as well :)

Darlingtonia Californica are incredibly resiliant plants and can weather tougher conditions than they had previously been given credit for. In fact, the struggle that some will go through while adjusting to a significant change in their atmosphere, will in turn make those that survive even stronger. It is a matter of routine at this point, but used to really blow me away that often, the plants that I had given the most confidence in their ability to carry on and thrive, would get off to a good start but then be completely lapped by an 'underdog'. Cobra Lily plants might die way back before showing any signs of being interested in life at all. Then, just as you might have been ready to un-pot a dried up plant, you notice that deep, candy-apple red pitcher coming from where it should. So the plant remains. Or, you might un-pot it only to find a very healthy rhizome attached to a decaying growth point, yet, also with signs of new life at the other end of things. Remove the necrotic tissues and re-position the new growth for its benefit. These are strange plants built to survive.

I have put a few photos up here to show that even here in my nursery there is a certain number of plants that are truly giving it their all to stay in the population, and they will be gorgeous. **IMPORTANT to note that M.E.P. would never send any plant in this condition as a sale item, not even close. These photos are just here to give you reference to what still has a chance, before another good-to-go plant gets thrown away, and more reflexive negative information is spread.

Above: This was a dead looking rhizome attached to no plant after sorting. I knew to give it space to want to travel, so put it in a 6" pot. By next Spring it will be a half a tray of individual plantlets. It looked *miserable* all Winter, then a few weeks ago it started to get up and go.

Other side of the same 6" pot.

This is what I mean when I talk about "colonizing plants", and how they often are powered by a strong woody rhizome that needs to be near the surface so the sunlight can tell it to get busy.

Above: A smaller startup, it will be ringed with new growth points rather than form tall pitchers or blooms this season. This is a good long term plant, but probably not the best for an excited new grower wanting a real bitchen cobra plant.

Above: This is something that *most* growers would have called "dead", or close enough, "wasn't going to make it"... I have heard it all. Yet, a few nice days and the right buttons get pressed and BAM you have a new Cobra pitcher growing there, man, sure hope you didn't throw it away!

Above; Again, Same Situation. A plant that wanted to be so good to you and bring pride to your knowledge base and collection, would Probably instead be thrown away. Why do people expect perennial plants to look perfect all Winter long? 

Above; More of the same. 

See, see!! It DOES want to grow and kick some butt!!

See, see!! It DOES want to grow and kick some butt!!

Not that I have a Lot of hope for this one to grow, it *could* and at this point it wouldn't be a surprise. Actually, it **IS** growing, so there :) 

Plus, there is a nice little Sundew in there to save, anyway!

Here is the ultimate, "yuck" plant, total refugee, banished to the "other" trays section. Next pic shows a closer look at the brand new pitcher growth. This plant could very well be a top contender in the 'showy' category, you just never know.

Right in the center, small healthy red pitcher forming and will be followed by many many more.

Thank you for reading, and good growing! 

Any questions? please post them. I think next will be a set of "nicer" photos, lol!