For beginners, the Venus flytrap isn't necessarily the most straightforward carnivorous plant. There are a few things to consider when keeping the carnivore if you want it to thrive. Casting in particular requires a lot of finesse. Tips for proper Venus flytrap care.

The care of the Venus flytrap is quite complex

What is the correct way to water Venus flytraps?

Venus flytraps thrive best in the damming process. The pot is provided with drainage at the bottom and placed in a saucer. Water is poured onto the substrate until the coaster fills up with liquid by an inch or two.

If the water has evaporated or been absorbed from the coaster, wait two days and then water again.

Only use rainwater for watering. Carnivores do not tolerate calcareous foods at all. Alternatively, you can also use distilled water or still mineral water for watering.

What humidity is ideal?

The ideal humidity is between 40 and 55 percent. In summer you can spray the plant. Keeping the Venus flytrap in a terrarium or display case is ideal during the winter.

Do Venus Flytraps Need Fertilizer?

Venus flytraps should never be fertilized, even though it is often advised to do so. The substrate usually already contains more nutrients than the plant needs. If there are too many nutrients, the Venus flytrap will die.

Need to feed the carnivorous plants?

Feeding is not necessary. The plant is adequately supplied by the substrate and the nutrient stores in the leaves, even in the absence of insects.

You are of course allowed to feed the carnivorous plant occasionally, if only because it is very interesting to watch. Then only give them a few living insects that are no more than a third the size of the trap itself. You should never feed them leftovers.

Are Venus flytraps cut?

The withered traps are not removed until they are completely dry.

However, it can make sense to cut the inflorescences immediately after they have sprouted. Flowering robs the plant of the energy it needs to grow new traps.

When do the plants need to be repotted?

Venus fly traps should be repotted every spring. The plant is quite fast-growing and forms many rhizomes, so that the pot soon becomes too small.

Remove dead root debris before repotting. Now is also the best time to collect offshoots. To do this, simply pluck the plant apart so that enough leaves and roots remain on each section.

Remove the old substrate and place the Venus Flytrap in fresh substrate. Then water the plant well.

Which diseases and pests occur?

Diseases rarely occur. When the plant dies, there are almost always care mistakes.

Some pests can attack the Venus flytrap:

  • thrips
  • aphids
  • sciarid larvae

Check the plant regularly for pest infestation and take immediate action to control it.

Why are the leaves suddenly turning black?

The long-stemmed leaves that grew in summer turn black in winter. This is a normal process and not a sign of illness.

Why are the traps dying?

The Venus Flytrap snap trap has a limited lifespan. It opens a maximum of seven times. After that she dies. If it dries up sooner, it may be because a digested insect was too large.

It is normal for the traps to get smaller and smaller as winter approaches. This is how the plant heralds its hibernation.

Are you allowed to put Venus flytraps outside in the summer?

In principle, there is nothing wrong with giving the plants a summer holiday in the fresh air. The prerequisite is that a location that is as sunny as possible, but not so draughty, is chosen.

The temperatures should be as constant as possible, the Venus flytrap cannot tolerate strong fluctuations.

Before you put the plants outside, slowly acclimate them to the new location. Direct sunlight should be avoided for the first few days. Then increase the time in the direct sun by the hour.

How is the Venus flytrap properly overwintered?

Venus flytraps are not hardy. Temperatures should never drop below 5 degrees. However, the plant must be cooler in winter than in summer. The ambient temperatures should be between 5 and 12 degrees. In winter, do not place the Venus flytrap in direct sunlight and avoid drafts.

In winter, the plant needs less moisture than in summer. Therefore, water less often, once a month is usually sufficient. Never let the substrate dry out completely, as the plant will then die.

The Venus flytrap almost stops growing in winter. Only a few small traps also grow in the cold season.

tips

The Venus flytrap belongs to the sundew family. It only occurs naturally in a very limited area in the United States. In local regions, the carnivorous plant is only cultivated as a houseplant.

Category:

Vegetable garden