Venus Fly Trap

I bought two venus fly traps yesterday. I've kept them before years ago with limited success. In the past they were kept indoors and watered with either regular tap water, or black tea (someone said it was good for them once). After about a year, they died.

These new ones then, can I keep them outside?

I've been doing a spot of research, and it seems their natural home is marsh land in California. There is a slight climate difference between Redcar and California USA, but there is a California in northern Scotland too, so maybe I can get away with it

I can give them marsh like environment now since I did the pond, but I can't give them blazing heat and sunshine.

Or I can put them in the blowaway where they'll get warmth and humidity, but will most likely get forgotten about. Or there's indoors, but I'd rather keep them outside if I can.

Any thoughts?

 

my son was given a venus fly trap a couple of years ago, after doing a week's work experience at a garden centre. They told him to ONLY water it with bottled water, to keep it in direct sunlight (on his bedroom windowsill) and continue to keep it moist throughout the winter.

I'm not at all sure if it would fare ok outside. sorry!

 

You only water these with rainwater or distilled water as they musn't have any fertiliser, I don't think it will be warm enough outside.

Val

 

Hi
Warm days and nights during the summer months ...... Outside in protected environment...... Its definatley an indoor plant in this country.... Even way down south where the weather is meant to be better........so watch the weather..... Water with rainwater

 

Hi C

Sunny window sill would be fine or greenhouse , I have always kept mine in the greenhouse and only use rainwater and keep the pot in a clear plastic carton so I can see if the the water is deep enough as I keep on the greenhouse shelving , they need more protection over winter (frost free) as they are not as hardy as the Sarracenias , they need to have a rest period over winter so all you do is keep the compost damp and do not keep in sitting water and somewhere cool .
I have never tried growing outside I think the UK not warm enough but I may be wrong ?

Plus also dont mess about teasing the traps to close without anything in to eat ie a fly

Spruce

 

Two of the mouths have been set off deliberately, although I know you're not supposed to. The first time was me showing the lad to get him interested, which must have worked because a day later (ie today) he had to show his nanna the same trick. I've told him no more though, because the plant doesn't like it.

 

I'm not sure but I dont think they come from California, possibly Carolina and the hot steamy south east USA.
They can survive frost free, but I always kept then a bit dryer in winter when dormant.

Just sphagnum moss peat on its own seems to work as a compost, and if its really acidic you can get away with the odd watering using tap water.
If you have soft water in your area then the problem doesn't arise.

 

you just can't not spring that trap though can you! its so amazing to watch it doing its thing you just have to do it we had one years ago, must get one again now you've reminded me

 

You're right Pete. I'd misremembered

California, Carolina, sounds nearly the same

 

the mix for potting for venus fly trap is Sphagnum Moss Peat and horticultural sand (must be lime free) 1 to 1 mix

the mix for sarracenias is add perlite to the above normally same amount.

I have a barrel attached to the down pipe just for these.

 

outside all year round , this year we had a cold spring and it`s just coming out now



heavy frost in December

 

happy days last summer

 

my son told me that each trap has 2 or 3 "springs" in it, then it'll die. To be replaced with new traps.

 

That's my experience too. In fact depending on what it caught, it might one mouth might only work once before it dies. Sometimes infection gets in as the remains of dinner decomposes before the mouth has digested what it wants and released the shell, and sometimes the delicate trigger hairs (3 on each half of a mouth) get damaged while dinner is being enjoyed, so even if the mouth does open for another go, the triggers are bust so it can no longer catch anything.

 

Back when I was living with my parents I used to specialise in carnivorous plants be had a huge collection of Venus Flytraps.

They are actually really easy to grow and not as fussy as people would assume. The best place for them is an Unheated greenhouse in full sun. These plants love summer heat. The hotter and brighter the conditions the brighter the traps and the quicker they close. Mine would regularly be subjected to temperatures of 45*c + during the summer months. Just make sure they are constantly stood in a wide tray that contains a couple if inches of rainwater at all times. During the winter allow the tray to dry out and keep the plants moist. They can take several degrees of frost as long as the crown is dry.

I do not really think these are suitable as houseplants. They may struggle along for a few years but never look there best and eventually weaken and die. Some success can be had growing them outdoors as long as they are in an extremely sunny spot, but again they never reach there full potential.

I found mine grew best in a compost of 3 parts Irish moss peat to 1 part sharp sand. They grow better when given room so give them a minimum pot size if 5 inches.

There are lots of varieties available. For large traps choose the variety 'Southwest Giant'


The traps are regularly 3 inches plus

You can get red forms where the whole plant turns bright purple in direct sunlight such as 'Red Dragon' AKA 'Akai Ryu'

There are sharks tooth and bear trap forms with reduced stumpy trap teeth and forms that sta bright yellow green 'lutea' in even the brightest sunlight.