Venus fly trap help

(I was going to post this in the house plants thread, but it goes beyond just stating what plant I have)

I now have a Venus fly trap! The people at the garden store weren't 100% sure on the care, so they just told me to keep it moist.

I read a previous post and found the "distilled water only" but can RO be used also? And is it better to water from the top or have it sit in a bowl?

I have the trap sitting next to my tank so it can get light. I'm not too sure if I should put it by a window yet since there's still cold drafts.

I asked the garden center if I should repot the trap and they said they weren't too sure, so after some research, I read that they need an insulated pot that is 4 inches deep. Erm...what's an insulated pot? Can I just use a clay pot with a drainage hole?

Also, what's a good soil mix for these? I obviously can't use my flower pot mix.

I also read about the dormancy phase. This plant doesn't seem dormant, more like it was grown in a green house all winter.

How often to they need bugs? I fed one of the heads a fly yesterday.

 

I wish you good luck, as I was never able to keep them alive.
Post more pics as you progress, would be awesome to see them feeding, on yummy bits.
LOL:;hurryb

 

They need to be kept warm and humid, so if you have cool draughts on your windowsill you won't keep it alive for long. They really need to be in a heated greenhouse in places that get too cold for them.

They're from peat bogs, which are very moist and acidic. A clay pot is no good, as it will dry out too quickly. Use a plastic pot.

It will need direct sunlight. 'Beside a tank' lighting is nothing by comparison.

Best of luck. I can't keep them for long either... because of my location... and no heated greenhouse..

 

Thanks! Now I'm really hoping I don't accidentally kill it

 

One option might be a small terrarium set up like a bubble bowl . you can buy them at the craft stores or some people use them for Bettas. It has a clearer glass than the round goldfish bowls. I would use a peat moss type potting soil. There was just a thread on house plants a couple of days ago started I think by Saturn and there was a poster on there that used to raise fly traps and pitcher plants ect. Look for that post and I bet he could give you step by step instructions and help... alison

 

I ordered some peat moss and peralite from my farm supply store. I couldn't find any locally that had zero ferts added.

I ended up talking to a plant guy and he said don't worry about the temperature, just focus on sun.

And the weirdest part? Apparently, they can eat frozen bloodworms. And I have tons a of those.

 

It will be interesting to see how you make out with your fly trap. Since it moves and eats bloodworms and flies and is almost a pet, what are you going to name it? .....Alison

 

I've already named it Bellsprout. And I know what you mean. Is it an animal or a plant???

I know it's a plant, but I find it kind of freaky that a plant catches bugs for food. And it's not like a normal plant where you feed it liquid ferts every so often. This one needs to be fed live or frozen foods every week.

 

I like the name although I was thinking something like the Terminator, HEHE. Bellsprout is very cute. ...For a treat in warmer weather you can put something outside to attract flies ,then go armed with a fly swatter, Swat a bunch, then freeze the squished ones and feed once in a while.... Have fun... Alison

 

Since it's getting warmer out, there's a lot of flies on the south side of the house. I went around with a container and tried to catch them alive.

30 minutes and 20 dead flies later, I finally snagged one by the wings and got it in the container. After a little victory dance, I put it in the freezer for a few minutes to slow down the fly.

Phew...this is gonna be hard...

Maybe feeding them swatted won't be so bad.

 

Since they are going to digest it I don't think Bellsprout will care. I would just defrost first as I very much doubt in nature that they get little frozen treats. ..Just saying. ..Alison

 

I don't have them anymore because I threw them away. I didn't know they were just dormant.

 

I don't have them anymore because I threw them away. I didn't know they were just dormant.

LOL

"Throw the instructions they came with in the fire"

Already did that. Most of it was wrong.

 

OMG there's an aquatic version. The Aldrovanda vesiculosa! The traps are only 2-3mm so will only catch the smallest animals (probably including fish fry).

 

Are you going to buy one?

 

Are you going to buy one?

I can't. I have hard brackish water. They need acidic water with little to no ferts.

 

I can't. I have hard brackish water. They need acidic water with little to no ferts.

A perfect excuse to set up another tank

Still though, it'd be cool to try growing one in the future.

 

A perfect excuse to set up another tank

Still though, it'd be cool to try growing one in the future.

LOL! I'm trying to focus on just one tank right now. I'll definitely add it to my ever growing wish list.