This provides a water retentive but free draining mixture, that prevents the compost becoming stagnant when stood in water.
The Venus Fly Trap - native to North America - is the only plant of its species, and it's natural habitat is confined to a small area of bogland spanning North and South Carolina. Dionaea is an endangered species and is protected by law to prevent plants being taken from their natural habitat.
The best medium for growing Venus Fly traps consists of 2 parts moss peat to 1 part silver sand and 1 part horticultural grit.
This provides a water retentive but free draining mixture, that prevents the compost becoming stagnant when stood in water.
The plant obtains its nutrients through catching insects and the use of ANY plant food will also kill the plant. Where possible they should be stood in direct sunlight and given good ventilation. During the winter months when the plant is dormant it should not be stood in water and the compost should be kept just moist, again good ventilation and light are the key to success. Keep frost free. The Venus Fly Trap will flower in spring, however the flowers are small and rather insignificant, and unless it is intended to collect seed it is advised they are better removed as they soon as they appear.
Greenfly tends to be the most common pest, attacking the young immature traps.
Greenfly are easily controlled by the use of a systemic insecticide used at regular intervals throughout the growing season.
Experience has shown the only disease likely to affect Dionaea's is Grey Mould (Botrytis cinerea).
In particular the plant should have all dead material removed and be subject to good ventilation and light.
Ensure the compost is only just kept moist throughout the dormant season.
As well as the above preventative treatment can be taken in the use of a systemic fungicide.
Seed, division and leaf cuttings are the main methods of increasing the number of plants. The sed should be sown as soon as it is ripe and kept in a heated propagator throughout the winter. Leaf cuttings should be taken from new growth during the spring and kept in a well ventilated but hunid environment until roots have established themselves. Division of the plants should also be done early in spring before new growth has started to appear.
Dionaea's are very susceptible to the type of water used. They will only tolerate a neutral or acidic water free from alkalines or chemicals. Wherever possible rainwater should be used, throughout the winter months the compost only just being kept damp. However through the spring as the temperatures rise then the watering should be increased until the plant is stood in 2 cm of water throughout the summer months when the temperatures are at their highest. Into autumn the water level should be reduced in preparation for the dormant season throughout the winter.