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Venus Fly Trap Care Articles

How do I get rid of thrips from my Venus flytrap?

Getting rid of thrips from Venus flytraps requires careful treatment, as the plants are sensitive to many chemicals. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you manage a thrip infestation: 1. Manual Removal Inspect the plant thoroughly and remove visible thrips by gently wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or soft brush. You can also use a gentle stream of water to wash them off, being careful not to damage the traps. 2. Insecticidal Soap or Neem Oil Use a diluted insecticidal...

October 9, 2024By Venus FlytrapsComments OffRead more...

Carnivorous Plant Seed Sowing Tips

Seed Storage: Store seeds in a dry, sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator until you’re ready to sow them. Germination rates decline over time, but well-stored seeds can last a long time. Most Drosera, Drosophyllum, and Byblis seeds can remain viable for years, even decades. Sarracenia and Darlingtonia seeds can be stored for at least a few years, while Pinguicula and Utricularia have a shorter shelf life. Nepenthes seeds don’t store well and should be sown as soon as possible. Stratification: Many temperate...

September 6, 2024By BasicsComments OffRead more...

How do I repot my Venus flytrap?

Repotting a Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a necessary step as the plant grows and its pot becomes crowded or the growing medium starts to break down. Here's how to repot a Venus flytrap: Materials You'll Need: New pot: Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one, with drainage holes. Fresh growing medium: A mix of sphagnum moss and perlite or long-fibered sphagnum moss. Venus flytrap plant to be repotted. Distilled or rainwater (not tap water). Steps: Choose the...

September 29, 2023By Venus Flytraps0 CommentsRead more...

How do I germinate Venus flytrap seeds?

Germinating Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) seeds can be a rewarding but somewhat challenging process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to germinate Venus flytrap seeds: Materials You'll Need: Venus flytrap seeds Growing medium: A mix of sphagnum moss and perlite or long-fibered sphagnum moss. Plastic pots or trays with lids or clear plastic wrap for covering the pots. Distilled or rainwater (not tap water). A bright and indirect source of light, such as a fluorescent grow light. Steps: Prepare the Growing Medium: ...

September 29, 2023By Venus Flytraps0 CommentsRead more...

How do I pollinate my Venus flytrap and have it produce seeds?

Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) typically rely on insects and other small arthropods for pollination, rather than wind or other external factors. To pollinate Venus flytraps, you can follow these steps: Identify the Flowers: Venus flytraps produce small white flowers on long stalks. These flowers typically bloom in the spring, usually in April or May. Observe the Flowers: Watch for the flowers to fully open and become receptive for pollination. Venus flytrap flowers have a male and female part within each flower,...

September 29, 2023By Venus Flytraps0 CommentsRead more...

USDA Zone Chart

If you're growing cold hardy carnivorous plants, the USDA Hardiness Zone Chart is useful to determine the type of winter protection you will need to provide for your plants. Each zone is based on the average lowest recorded temperatures in a given region. The lower the number, the colder the winters.

July 30, 2023By Basics0 CommentsRead more...

Why is the b52 such a popular Venus flytrap cultivar for collectors?

The popularity of the B52 cultivar can be attributed to several factors: Size and Vigor: The B52 cultivar is known for its robust growth and larger size compared to many other Venus Flytrap varieties. It typically produces larger traps and can reach impressive dimensions, making it visually appealing to collectors. Trap Shape and Color: The traps of the B52 cultivar often have a distinct shape and coloration, with wide, toothy lobes and bright red pigmentation. This unique appearance makes it...

July 8, 2023By Venus Flytraps0 CommentsRead more...

Is it a good idea to add perlite to Venus flytraps’ growing media?

Yes, adding perlite to the growing media of Venus flytraps can be beneficial. Perlite is a lightweight volcanic mineral that is commonly used as a soil amendment in horticulture. Here's why it can be advantageous for Venus flytraps: Improved drainage: Venus flytraps are native to boggy, wetland environments, but they still require adequate drainage to prevent waterlogging and root rot. Perlite is porous and helps improve soil drainage by creating air spaces in the growing medium. This allows excess water...

June 20, 2023By Venus Flytraps, When You Unpack Your Plant0 CommentsRead more...

Why is sphagnum moss such a good growing medium for Venus flytraps?

Sphagnum moss is a popular growing medium for carnivorous plants for several reasons: Acidic pH: Carnivorous plants, such as Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and sundews, thrive in acidic conditions. Sphagnum moss naturally has a low pH, typically ranging from 3.0 to 4.5, which creates an environment suitable for these plants. Moisture retention: Sphagnum moss has excellent water-holding capacity. It can absorb and retain large amounts of water, providing a consistent source of moisture to carnivorous plants. This is important because...

June 20, 2023By Venus Flytraps, When You Unpack Your Plant0 CommentsRead more...

Temperate Sundew (Drosera) Care Sheet

Lighting Temperate Sundews need strong light. They like a sunny location in the yard with a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight. If grown indoors they need a very sunny window and/or to be 2 to 4 inches directly under a fluorescent light that is on for 12 to 18 hours a day. Water Do not water Temperate Sundews with tap water, purified water, drinking water, or mineral water. They must have Reverse Osmosis or Distilled water only. You can buy Reverse...

April 29, 2023By Sundews (Drosera)0 CommentsRead more...