Carnivorous-Plants.co.uk

Cultivation

Almost everyone who has been fascinated by these plants will also at sometime have bought a plant at a garden centre or market.  Unfortunately the instructions supplied with the plant will invariably have been at best inadequate and at worst incorrect and usually within weeks the plant has slowly died giving the impression they are a fickle and demanding plant.  This could not be further from the truth, Venus Fly traps are very easy to keep and propagate providing certain conditions are adhered to. 

Venus Fly Traps enjoy well lit conditions and even in a greenhouse or conservatory and will tolerate direct sunlight.  Under these condtions the inside of the trap will turn a bright red, whilst those grown under shade will not develop the red pigment and the traps will remain green. 

The ground conditions found in Dionaea's natural habitat are devoid of nutrients which is why the plant has evolved to capture and extract the required nutrients from insects.  Becuase of this it is vital that the plant is not fed any proprietry plant food or fertiliser, the use of ANY such plant food will result in the death of the plant. 

Dionaea's will capture sufficient insects for their needs, however the traps can be activated by moving two or more trigger hairs on the trap, continued closing and opening of the traps without catching any insects will have a detrimental effect on the strength of the plant.  Throughout the season traps will die off and be replaced by new growth, in order to maintain good hygiene all dead or diseased parts of the plant should be removed at regular intervals. 

At all times Dionaea requires good ventilation, in summer under glass it helps provide some cooling, whilst in winter it reduces the chances of Botrytis (Grey Mould) attacking the leaves and bulb.  Dionaea's will tolerate low air temperatures (below 0° C) in winter, but will not withstand any frost, they are suitable for an unheated greenhouse or conservatory. 

The Venus Fly Trap will flower in spring, however the cluster of flowers on each stem are small and insignificant.  This is not surprising considering the energy required to produce a flower has to be taken from the reserves stored within the bulb, consequently allowing the plant to flower will have a significant weakening effect on the plant as a whole.  Generally speaking (unless seed is required) it is better to remove the flower stalks as soon as they appear. 

A mature specimen will require an 8 cm (full size) plant pot, experience has shown that they enjoy a deep root run.  At all times the compost must be kept moist (using rainwater), during the summer months the pots can be stood in 1 - 2 cm of water, gradually reducing the level through the autumn season.