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Are venus fly traps alive


Five Things You Didn’t Know About Venus Flytraps

Venus flytraps are perennial, carnivorous plants that can live up to 20 years in the wild. While most of their energy is obtained through photosynthesis, insects provide nutrients that aren’t readily available in the soil.

We reached out to Steph Jeffries, associate teaching professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, to learn more about this fascinating plant.

1. They are native only to North and South Carolina.

While Venus flytraps have been planted and naturalized in other areas, they only occur naturally within a 75-mile radius around Wilmington, North Carolina. This area is primarily in North Carolina, but it also includes a few South Carolina counties.

2. The Venus flytrap is the only species in its genus.

For this reason, it’s called a monotypic genus. “It used to be in its own family, too, Dionaeaceae,” said Jeffries. However, taxonomists have recently decided it’s closely related to sundews, making it part of the Droseraceae family.

3. They don’t waste energy on false alarms.

The “traps” are two-lobed leaves with hair-like extensions for sensing prey. They’ll only close if two hairs are touched in succession, within seconds of each other. This way, the plants don’t close for false alarms. “No need to expend energy on a random bit of debris or a raindrop,” said Jeffries. When the traps do close, digestive juices are released to break down the insect inside.

Each plant has a cluster of leaves that grow from a central point near the soil surface. Plants often grow close together in favorable habitats. Photo by Maccoy Kerrigan, NC State University.

4. They rarely trap their pollinators.

Venus flytraps consume insects, but this doesn’t mean they trap their pollinators. NC State scientists Elsa Youngsteadt, assistant professor of applied ecology, and Clyde Sorenson, professor of entomology, collaborated with other conservation scientists to study this issue.

The researchers found that the flowers sit six to 10 inches above the trap-like leaves, which are close to the ground. The plants are pollinated by flying insects, but they mostly consume crawling insects.

5. Their greatest threat is habitat loss.

“Venus flytraps live in the wet, open longleaf pine savannas, which need frequent fires to keep the stands open,” said Jeffries. Without frequent fire, trees and shrubs begin to grow in these habitats, blocking smaller plants like the Venus flytrap from the sun they need. On top of this, longleaf pine forests only occupy 3% of their former extensive range throughout the Coastal Plain.

Poaching is also a problem, and Venus flytraps are considered a “Species of Special Concern” in North Carolina. While it has always been illegal to poach them, a change in state laws made it a felony in 2014. However, Venus flytraps still lack the protection of threatened and endangered species.

Venus Fly Trap Care & Growing Tips | Planet Natural

Venus fly traps are not hard to grow. Venus fly traps that are well cared for can live up to 20 years indoors.
Read on to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about how to feed and care for these hungry carnivorous plants.

Spoiler Alert: You probably don’t want to put one in a terrarium.

Venus Fly Trap Care Facts

How Do I Grow a Venus Fly Trap as a Houseplant?

The first thing you will need to do to care for a healthy fly trap is to repot it. These carnivorous plants require a 4-5 inch pot with drainage holes and a saucer. Venus Fly Traps grow long roots, so get a tall pot.

BUY THEM HERE!

The Best Planting Mix for Venus Fly Trap Care

The Venus Fly Trap does best in sphagnum moss with sand or a few orchid bark pieces instead of potting soil. The orchid bark pieces are acidic and retain moisture for the plant while the moss quickly drains. You can also use one part peat moss to one part perlite. The peat moss makes this mixture acidic enough for the plant. Wet the potting medium thoroughly before putting it in the pot. In the middle of the potting medium, make a small nest. Place the Venus Fly Trap in the nest and ring it with the potting medium. Venus Fly Traps must have nutrient-free, mineral-free soil with good drainage.

How do I water a Venus Fly Trap?

Never water a Venus Fly Trap from above. Watering these plants from above can leave them vulnerable to leaf disease. The ideal way to water a Venus Fly Trap is to put about an inch of water in the plant’s saucer. The moss and bark will absorb some of the water and make it available to the plant. Keep the plant moist but not soggy.

Venus Fly Traps grow in very pure water. They will not do well with tap water. Use distilled water or rain water. Remember, the nutrients they need come from their prey, not the water.

The Best Light Levels for Venus Fly Trap Care

Venus Flytraps will need to be in bright, indirect light. They do better and their colors are more vivid when they get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. They can tolerate partial shade, with only 2-6 hours of sunlight, but the colors in the trap are not as vivid.

Venus flytraps will grow under a full spectrum light placed about 6 inches above the plants. A full-spectrum light has all the spectrums of light that the sun does.

Temperature and Humidity

If you are comfortable with the temperature, odds are the Venus flytrap will be comfortable also. It requires temperatures between 70-95F (21-32C) in the summer and down to 40F (4C) during the winter. Closely linked to temperature is humidity. The higher the temperature, the more humidity the plant requires. The plant needs at least 50% humidity. If your house is dry, find a saucer that is big enough to put the flytrap and its saucer in. Fill the large saucer with pebbles. Put enough water to almost cover the pebbles. Set the flytrap in the big saucer, with pot saucer, and all. A microclimate high in humidity is created as water evaporates. Don’t forget to fill the pebble saucer with water when it gets low.

Venus Fly Trap Care in the Winter

Venus fly traps must go through dormancy to survive. Their leaves will blacken and fall off, making the plant appear dead. It is not dead, but merely resting. Place your Venus Flytrap in a cool place, around 40F (4C), with little light in the winter months. The dormancy period needs to be around three months.

The plant should be damp during this time, but not wet, or it will rot the roots. It needs a little light during dormancy. If you use a basement or garage, place a light dusting of sulfur on the plant to keep fungus from growing on it. Check the plant frequently and make sure it doesn’t have fungus on it. If you find fungus, it usually means there is excess humidity. Treat the plant by manually removing the mold, repotting the plant or bright light exposure to balance out the moisture level.

After the 3-4 month dormancy period, gradually warm up the flytrap and expose it to more light. Plunging it immediately into hot temperatures and direct sunlight will harm it.

Do Venus Flytraps Need to be in a Terrarium?

Many people try to grow Venus Fly Traps in a terrarium or aquarium. This usually results in plant death as the temperature gets too high for them. At best, the plant will only barely survive. Leaving the top off the terrarium keeps the temperature low enough for the plants while the glass walls hold in the humidity that the plant needs.

What To Feed Venus Fly Traps

Overfeeding will make your flytrap sick. So will raw meat. Many people will trap bugs, capture insects, mealworms, flies, or gnats. Whatever you feed your flytrap, it shouldn’t be more than a third the size of the trap. The prey has to be alive or the plant will not close on it. You do not need to fertilize the Venus flytrap. The insects supply all the nutrients it needs. Only feed your flytrap one to two live insects per month.

How often should I repot a Venus flytrap plant?

Venus flytraps should be repotted every one to two years to prevent fungus and rotting issues. The growing medium wears out as it decomposes and no longer meets the plant’s needs. If the flytrap has grown significantly, it will need a new, bigger pot. If it has not grown much, you can reuse the pot you have and just remove the old medium with new potting soil. Repotting is an excellent time to divide the plant, as discussed below.

Propagation

Venus flytraps are a little like popcorn, you can’t have just one. Ethical propagating means using flytraps that have never lived in the wild. Commercially grown plants are often grown from tissue cultures. That requires special equipment and knowledge. There are three ways the rest of us have to get new plants.

Seed

When the Venus flytrap plant is mature, after about two years, it will start having flowers. If you let the flowers stay on the plant, you will end up with black fruits with seeds in them Let the seeds dry out before harvesting them. You will need to start the seeds in a peat and sand mix. Keep the mix damp and cover it with a clear bag or plastic wrap to keep the humidity in. The Venus flytrap is slow to germinate so do not expect anything for several weeks. Once the seeds germinate, remove the plastic. The little Venus flytraps should be left for a year before transplanting.

Cutting

You can take a leaf cutting from a mature Venus flytrap and grow it into a new plant. This is best done in the early summer after the leaves are growing well. Remove a leaf from the rhizome. Place it in a damp peat/sand mixture and put a bag over it. Keep in partial shade until the leaf produces roots. Remove the bag over it. Slowly acclimate the plant to the sunlight and humidity it will be living in. It will take two years to get a mature plant from your cutting.

Division

Venus flytraps grow out of a rhizome, similar to a bulb. After they are mature (at about 2 years of age), they start putting out side shoots. These are the plant babies. To divide the plant, remove it from the pot. Cut off the side shoots along with some roots. Plant these in their own pots. Return the mother plant to its pot. Give it new potting medium and discard the old stuff. You can put the used potting medium on your compost pile if the plant is healthy. It is best to divide Venus flytraps in late winter or early spring.

FAQ

Is it illegal to grow a Venus fly trap?

It is not illegal to have a Venus fly trap. It is illegal to gather one from the wild or buy one from someone who has done so. Venus fly traps are threatened in their native range and poachers are a big problem. Buy from reputable nurseries or growers that have propagated the new Venus fly trap from older, cultivated flytraps.

Can a Venus flytrap hurt a person?

No, they cannot hurt a person. The biggest trap is only around two inches long and is not strong enough to keep you from pulling away. You can hurt the Venus flytrap by triggering it to close, though. Closing takes a lot of energy that the plant needs to put toward growing. The traps can only close a few times before the leaf dies, so false alarms can kill that leaf.

Can a Venus flytrap survive without bugs?

A Venus flytrap can survive without bugs, but it will be slow-growing and weak. A bug twice a month will help it have all the nutrients it needs to grow big and strong.

Can a Venus flytrap survive without sunlight?

No, every plant needs some sunlight. Venus flytraps need bright sun to grow their best. Even when dormant, they need some sun.

How long do Venus flytraps live indoors?

Venus flytraps that are well cared for can live approximately 20 years. They must be allowed to go dormant each winter to keep them that long.

Venus flytraps are fascinating plants. You have to care for them a little differently than most other plants, but they are interesting enough to be worth the effort. Since poaching threatens the flytrap’s existence, always buy them from a reputable source. We sell healthy, cultivated Venus Flytraps with good, solid care and growing instructions with each plant. Follow the instructions and become another devotee of this wonderfully weird little plant.

The Venus Fly Trap (Dionaea muscipula) is probably the best known of the carnivorous plants. It can also be referred to as the Venus flytrap plant. It can live up to 20 years in the wild. All wild Venus Fly Traps are found within a 75-mile radius of Wilmington, North Carolina, and nowhere else in the world. They are considered threatened, and it is illegal to gather them from the wild.

Contrary to popular opinion, this carnivorous plant gets most of its energy from photosynthesis. It only catches bugs to get nutrients lacking in the wet, open longleaf pine savannas it is native to.

Description of the Venus Fly Trap

The Venus Fly Trap is a deciduous perennial carnivorous plant. The plant’s leaves are light green. Inside the hinged leaf, the trap is green or deep red. The leaves have filament-like projections on the sides to complete the trap. Leaves are 2-5 inches long and are set low on the plant. The rest of the plant is green.

White cupped flowers appear in May and June on stalks that are four to twelve inches long. These stalks keep the flowers above the traps, so pollinators do not become dinner. In June and July, the plant produces a black fruit with seeds inside it.

Varieties of Venus Flytraps

All Venus flytraps are the same species (Dionaea muscipula). However, people have developed cultivars of that species that look a little different than the wild flytraps. Most of them are cultivated because they have different colors, sizes, or mutations. Some mutations are incompatible with life, but others are very interesting. The International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) designated the International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS) as the International Cultivar Registration Authority (ICRA) for carnivorous plants, including Venus flytraps, in 1978. In late 2021, there are 130 cultivars listed.

Here are a few of the better-known cultivars and their descriptions.

Dionaea ‘Akai Ryu’

Registered by Ron Gagliardo This cultivar name means “Red Dragon” and the leaf, petiole, and trap are maroon or burgundy.

Dionaea ‘Justina Davis’

Registered by Barry Rice This cultivar stays bright green even in full sun. There are no other colors on the plant, even inside the trap.

Dionaea ‘B52’

Registered by: Barry Rice, developed by Henning von Schmeling This is considered the largest Venus flytrap, with traps over 2 inches.

Dionaea ‘Bohemian Garnet’

Registered by: Miroslav Srba This plant is half the size of a typical Venus flytrap.

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Care and cultivation of Venus Flytrap at home

Venus flytrap is an unusual, insectivorous plant that is increasingly winning the hearts of flower growers. Many gardeners are afraid to grow them because of the difficult care. But is it?!
Despite their popularity, the main reason why they die quite quickly in our homes is the lack of proper care. Of course, these are not the easiest plants to care for, but when you follow simple tips for flycatchers, they will be able to please you for a long time in the office or at home. It is interesting to know that some flycatchers, with proper care, can live up to 30 years.


There is only one type of flycatcher - Venus flytrap (lat. Dionaea muscipula) , you can often still hear the name Dionea. This name comes from the Latin name of the genus Dionaea . But, despite the fact that there are different varieties, most of them have identical care requirements. Varieties create personality with their appearance, some have large traps and others come in different colors. nine0008


Lighting.

Venus flytrap in its natural environment is found in wet swamps with poor light levels. But, since this plant initially grows in much more open places that receive a lot of direct sunlight, they should be provided with a sunny place.
Soil. Never use nutrient-rich flycatcher soil. Such soil will rather kill this plant than help it develop well. For planting and transplanting a flycatcher, a mixture of sand, peat moss, perlite or vermiculite is suitable. You can also buy the necessary soil mixture at flower shops. nine0005 Watering. Venus flytrap needs fairly moderate watering in the warm season. But in winter, the soil can be almost dry.
This plant also has special water requirements. Do not water the flycatcher with plain tap water. Tap water contains salts and other additional minerals, which, although beneficial to human health, are mostly toxic to these plants as they make the water alkaline. For watering flycatchers, rainwater, distilled or bottled water should be used. nine0008


Humidity .

When the air is very dry, flycatcher leaves dry up and look very unattractive. Therefore, a water pan should be used to increase the humidity. Some of the water will be used by the plant, but some of the water will evaporate, creating a slightly humid microclimate.
Fertilizers. Never feed a Venus flytrap fertilizer! This is not only unnecessary, but also potentially fatal. Being predatory, they collect all the necessary nutrients from flies and other small insects, which they catch and digest. nine0008


Temperature .

Normal room temperature is ideal for growing Venus Flytrap. They can also easily cope with a slight drop in temperature, especially during the cold season.


Transplant .

The general rule is that Dionea should be repotted once a year or every two years in spring or summer. If your plant has not filled the entire pot, then a transplant is not required. In this case, only the soil is updated. nine0008

Reproduction .

Propagating a Venus flytrap from seeds is not an easy task and this method of reproduction is not suitable for beginner flower growers.
The easiest way to propagate this plant is by daughter bulbs, which Dionea forms in the process of its growth. For propagation by bulbs, carefully, with a sharp knife, cut off the daughter bulb. It should be noted that it has a sufficient number of roots. The cut point on the mother bulb must be treated with crushed coal, which will prevent the appearance of rot. Then the daughter bulb is simply transplanted into a separate pot with prepared soil and watered. Since this plant is not fast growing, it will take time for it to grow. nine0005 Venus flytrap feeding. It is because of feeding that it causes such interest among flower growers. If your flycatcher grows on an open balcony, then it will catch insects on its own. If the plant grows indoors, then it should be fed no more than 1-2 times a month. One fly is digested by a flycatcher for 10-14 days. It is also interesting that if the plant is “full”, then it will “refuse” food.


Flowering .

Venus flytrap sometimes produces flowers. However, they do not add to the attractiveness of the plant. In fact, their appearance leads to the depletion of plant resources, and can negatively affect the production of leaves and traps. Therefore, when a peduncle appears, it is better to carefully cut it. But flowering is an indicator that your flycatcher is healthy and you are taking care of it properly. nine0008


Winter holidays.

In the cold season, most houseplants "rest". And the flycatcher will be no exception. In winter, it is preferable to lower the room temperature slightly. In addition, the amount of watering is reduced to 1-2 times a month. During this period, the growth of the plant practically stops, part of the foliage turns black and dies. But in the spring, as a rule, dead leaves are replaced by young ones.
When growing a Venus flytrap at home, it should be remembered that the trap has a limited "lifetime", which is 4-5 circuits. After that, the traps, although they carry out photosynthesis, no longer function as a trap. nine0005 Problems that may arise when growing a Venus flytrap. Like other indoor plants, the Venus flytrap can get sick. Major diseases can be prevented with proper care.
Spring growth is very slow and weak - this means that the flycatcher has not "rested" in winter. Skipping winter rest, in most cases, will simply kill the plant.
Also, the Venus flytrap can die from lack of light or water. Therefore, these agricultural practices should be carefully monitored. And even watering with ordinary tap water can kill the flycatcher. Therefore, use distilled or rain water for irrigation. nine0008


And remember that all plants need proper care. Therefore, do not neglect our advice, and the Venus flytrap will delight you with its unusual appearance for many years.

The main conditions for keeping the Venus Flytrap at home

The Venus Flytrap is not a tropical plant, it comes from North America, so it is quite easy to keep it at home, but you need to know that the Flytrap is very demanding on lighting and quality the water with which it is watered. She does not need high humidity, a constantly warm location, or a large number of insects, as many people think. nine0005 Read more...

How to keep a Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

In our online store you can buy different varieties of the plant Dionaea muscipula (Venus flytrap). All of them are presented in the section of plants-predators.

Description

Dionea muscipula (Venus flytrap) is a perennial herbaceous insectivorous plant, the only representative of its genus, from the sunflower family (Droseraceae). The scientific species name (muscipula), translated from Latin as "mousetrap", was probably obtained by this plant by mistake of a botanist who actually wanted to write muscicipula (fly trap). Dione, in Greek mythology, was the mother of Aphrodite, in the Roman version of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and plants. This species belongs to a small group of plants capable of rapid movements. nine0008

In nature Venus flytrap grows in peat bogs on the Atlantic coast of the USA, in the states of North and South Carolina. There is also a known population of these plants in Florida, but this state is not the desired homeland of these plants; Venus flytrap seeds were introduced and sown here by one gardener in the 1930s.

In its homeland, the plant population of this species is rapidly declining due to human activities, in particular the construction of golf courses and holiday homes. The species is currently listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning it is critically endangered. However, the Venus flytrap is very common and popular in cultivation with gardeners around the world. Most of the plants sold today are grown in plant cell and tissue culture. nine0008

Like most carnivorous plants that grow in nitrogen-poor soils, these plants are no exception, and therefore have to extract an additional source of nitrogen from insects by catching them.

Venus flytrap leaves are clustered and grow from a short underground bulbous stem. Each plant has 4 to 7 elongated leaves, at the end of which trap leaves 8 to 15 cm long are formed. These special leaves consist of two valves and are able to fold. Along the edges of each flap is a row of long, thin bristles that, when slammed shut, keep the prey inside and prevent it from getting out. nine0008

Closed fly trap inside

Nectar glands along the inner row of bristles to attract insects. In addition to the bristles along the edges of the leaf, on each of the two inner flat surfaces of the trap there are three special hairs - triggers. If the insect attracted by the aroma touches two or all three of these hairs in turn, the trap quickly closes. At first, it only covers itself slightly, and the insect has the opportunity to move within the trap. If a small insect is caught and manages to get through the lattice of bristles, the stimulation of the hairs stops and the trap opens again after about a day. But if a larger insect (more than 3-4 mm) is caught in the trap, and the stimulation of the hairs continues, the trap closes more tightly and the digestion process begins. The glands on the inner surface of the leaf begin to secrete digestive enzymes, which dissolve the victim from the inside. The resulting nutrients are absorbed by the inner walls of the trap. As soon as the digestion process ends (usually it takes about 7-10 days), the trap opens again, leaving only an empty chitinous shell from the insect. nine0008

If, while moving along the leaf, the insect does not touch the trigger hairs or touches only one of the hairs, the trap will not work. This strategy is very important for the plant. It prevents false triggering of the trap, as a result of falling raindrops, leaves or twigs on it.

Each trap is designed for only three digestion processes, after which its leaves turn black and die off. And even if the trap can't catch a single insect, it can only close and reopen about seven times. Therefore, when keeping a house, you should not force the trap to work in vain, artificially stimulating its hairs. nine0008

The mechanism of leaf slamming is a very complex process of interaction between its elasticity, turgor and growth, which is not yet fully understood. With successive stimulation of the hairs, an electrical impulse is generated that propagates through the leaf and stimulates the cells in the lobes and in the midline of the leaf. As a result of further complex reactions in these cells, the flaps of the trap slam shut at lightning speed. In this case, the trap sheet changes its shape, from convex (outward curved) to concave (inward curved). All this happens in the blink of an eye. nine0008

The flowers of the Venus flytrap are collected in inflorescences and are located on long stems, much higher than the traps, which is natural, because. Insects that pollinate flowers should not fall into the leaf traps. The flowers are white, about 2 cm in size with five petals. Flowering occurs from May to July.

The fruit is an unevenly cracking capsule filled with about twenty shiny black and very small seeds, about the size of the dot at the end of this sentence.

In addition to seeds, the Venus flytrap reproduces through its rhizome. Each plant produces no more than seven leaves. If a plant has more than seven leaves, it means that a new young plant has already separated from it. nine0008

The typical coloration of the Venus flytrap is green. The traps are also green, but their interiors can be reddish in good light. Young plants in spring produce traps at the end of short petioles, which are collected in rosettes and pressed to the ground. As summer approaches, the petioles become longer and more upright. In addition to the typical form of , many different varieties of have been bred by breeders - some of them remain pressed to the ground all year round, others differ slightly in color and size. So, there are varieties with especially rich dark red inner areas of the traps and even completely red plants. However, such plants are difficult to obtain in cultivation due to their high requirement for bright light. nine0008

Healthy, well-developed plants are very hardy, and can safely endure both drought and temporary flooding (of course, no more than a few days).

Contents

Sowing and cultivation of seeds

For good germination of seeds and increasing the percentage of their germination (it should be remembered that the germination of predator plants is 50-60%, which is relatively low among plants), it is necessary to carry out cold stratification of seeds before sowing . To do this, the seeds of the Venus flytrap must be placed in a container with a napkin or gauze soaked in a fungicide solution, or simply on the ground. Then a container with a napkin / soil with seeds must be put in the refrigerator (not a freezer!) for 4-8 weeks. During this time, it is necessary to ensure that the napkin or primer does not dry out. nine0008

After stratification is complete, seeds can be sown in small containers filled with a clean potting mix for predator plants (safgnum moss, perlite and coco). It is important that the soil is not compacted. It is necessary to carefully spread the seeds on the surface of the soil and sprinkle them with a thin layer. Do not bury! Then the container should be covered and placed in a warm, well-lit place. The temperature should be maintained between 25-27°C and the lighting duration should be 14-16 hours. Germination lasts 2-4 weeks. It should be remembered that some seeds may begin to germinate after 2-3 months, and sometimes up to a year (but this is already an exception)! After the appearance of more than one leaf, you should begin to gradually "ventilate" the plants. Then you can carefully transplant them into individual pots. When transplanting, you must be careful not to damage the fragile roots. The substrate with growing seeds must be constantly wet. Humidification should be carried out with distilled water from below. See "Irrigation" for more details. nine0008

Soil

The best soil for these plants is sphagnum moss, perlite and coco in a ratio of 1 to 3. Before using perlite, it is advisable to soak it in distilled water for a week. Also, as a soil, you can use a mixture of high-moor peat and pure quartz sand, in a ratio of 2 to 1. Before using quartz sand, it is advisable to rinse it in running water. Only quartz sand should be used. The use of any other sand, except for quartz, can lead to the death of the plant. nine0008

The planting pot should be at least 10-12 cm deep and neither too narrow nor too wide. In a pot with a diameter of 75 mm, 4-5 young seedlings can be placed.

These plants should be repotted annually if the irrigation water contains a high amount of dissolved salts (up to 50 mg/l) or every other year if the amount is low (5 mg/l). When transplanting, you need to be very careful not to provoke the triggering of traps.

Watering

The soil for the Venus flytrap should be constantly moist. Humidification should always come from below. If you water the soil from above, this can lead to soil compaction and a lack of oxygen to the roots. It is necessary to place the pot with the plant on a tray of water so that the drain holes of the pot are completely covered. For irrigation, use only distilled water. Drying out or excessive waterlogging of the soil should not be allowed. If necessary, you can spray the plants from the sprayer a couple of times a week. nine0008

Lighting

The Venus flytrap requires a high level of light. She needs direct sunlight for at least 4-5 hours a day. However, prolonged exposure to sunlight (especially during summer afternoons) should also be avoided. To protect against direct rays, several layers of gauze can be stretched over the plant to scatter them. If the plant receives less than 4 hours of sunlight per day and is located in an insufficiently lit area, additional lighting with lamps is required. You can illuminate with fluorescent lamps with a power of at least 40 W from a distance of 15-20 cm. The duration of illumination is 14-16 hours during the growing season. When lighting a plant with lamps, avoid rotating the plant pot or changing the location of the light source. In good bright light outdoors, the inner walls of the traps turn red. nine0008

Temperature and humidity

The temperature must be maintained at 22-27°C. The Venus flytrap can tolerate higher temperatures, but not above 35°C. The air should be fresh, but drafts should not be allowed. Many people recommend keeping the Venus flytrap in closed aquariums and terrariums, arguing that it needs high humidity to grow. This is not entirely true, because The Venus flytrap can grow well in relatively low humidity, as long as its roots are constantly in moist soil. Humidity can be maintained in a wide range - from 40 to 70%. In closed aquariums, at high temperature, humidity and lack of good ventilation, the plant can get sick and even die. nine0008

Feeding

Venus flytrap must not be fed with any fertilizer! You can occasionally feed only live insects of a suitable size (at least half the size of the trap itself). Feeding insects with hard chitinous shells (beetles) and insects that can gnaw through the trap should be avoided. You should not feed the Venus flytrap with earthworms, as well as bloodworms or tubules, because. they contain too much moisture, which can cause the traps to rot. In no case should you feed meat or sausage! nine0008

For mature plants growing in a room, 2-3 insects will be enough for the whole summer. Those that are on the street can not be fed at all, because. they are able to feed themselves. With the onset of autumn cold, feeding should be stopped until the onset of spring.

Wintering

Venus flytrap cannot grow at room temperature all year round. For normal growth and existence, she needs a dormant period of 3-4 months. Otherwise, the plant will not live with you for a long time. In the fall, you need to start preparing the Venus flytrap for wintering. In October-November, the temperature should be gradually lowered, first to 10-15°C, and then to about +5°C. Also at this time, daylight hours should be gradually reduced, from 14-16 hours to about 8-9. To achieve this, you can put the plant on a balcony or on a windowsill near an open window. Soon, the Venus flytrap will grow wide, flat leaves and small traps, which will indicate its readiness for winter. Glazed balconies or greenhouses are great for wintering. At a wintering temperature of +10 to +5°C, the Venus flytrap, as before, needs lighting and watering from a pallet. Water for irrigation should be the same temperature as the soil. Do not allow waterlogging of the substrate. If natural light is not enough, you will need to illuminate the plants with cold light lamps. The duration of illumination in winter should be approximately 8-9hours.

If there is no suitable place for wintering, you can put the plants in the refrigerator for wintering, but the temperature there should not go beyond 0 to +5°C. Only at this temperature, plants do not need lighting and retain their leaves. At sub-zero temperatures, the leaves turn black and die. After preparing for winter, the Venus flytrap must be sprayed, then packed in a bag with several ventilation holes and placed in the refrigerator. About once a month, the substrate must be watered with distilled water of the same temperature. nine0008

It is not recommended to lower the temperature below +5°C, for plants that have not overwintered before.

Plants wintering on balconies or in greenhouses should not be taken out of wintering - with an increase in daylight hours and temperature, they will come out of it themselves. The same plants that overwintered in the refrigerator must be removed after about 3 months, after which the bags should be removed from their pots and placed in a cool place under the lamps. The duration of illumination should initially be 10 hours a day, and then it should be gradually increased to 14-16 hours. It is also necessary to gradually raise the air temperature. Plants that are intended to be kept under natural light, on balconies or sunny window sills, should be removed from wintering in early spring. nine0008

After the end of wintering, it is necessary to transplant the plants into a new substrate.

Propagation

Venus flytrap can be propagated by seeds, dividing bulbs or cuttings.

The easiest way is to divide the plant with daughter bulbs.

Older plants produce quite a lot of these bulbs or growing points. They can be separated from the parent plant with a sharp, clean blade and planted separately. It is advisable to sprinkle the cut with crushed coal. It is important that the separated plant has at least a few roots. It is advisable to divide the plant in this way no more than 1 time in 2-3 years. nine0008

For seed production, you need to take a healthy plant that has passed at least one winter. Flowers appear in spring or early summer. You can pollinate the flowers with a brush, 2 days after they open. After pollination, the flower will wither and a box will form. Seeds can be collected when the box becomes dry and starts to crack.

If you do not plan to receive seeds from the plant, it is better to cut off the peduncle (especially if the plant has not wintered yet), because. flowering takes a lot of energy from the Venus flytrap. nine0008

Pests and diseases

Aphids can appear in the traps of these plants, causing them to become distorted and deformed. You can fight it with the help of various aerosols against aphids.

If the Venus flytrap is kept dry and warm, it can also be attacked by spider mites. A means of combating it is spraying the plant with drugs against ticks.

If the Venus flytrap is constantly exposed to too wet and humid environments, black sooty fungus can grow on it. To prevent this, plants must be kept in the right conditions. The fungus control agent is a suitable fungicide. nine0008

Gray rot or botrytis is when a plant develops rot as a result of a fungal infection, which then becomes covered with a gray fluff. When it occurs, it is necessary to cut off the damaged parts of the plant, and then treat the entire plant, along with the substrate, with one of the available systemic fungicides.

A bacterial attack is when the trap cannot "digest" the caught insect, as a result of which it begins to rot.

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