- Venus flytrap flower needs to be fertilized
- When is the seed ripe?
- How to harvest the seed
- Store in a cool, dark place after harvesting
You can propagate a Venus flytrap by division or by seeds. Seeds for Venus fly traps are available from specialist retailers. If you are already growing a plant, you can also harvest the seeds from yourself. Since there is only one species of this carnivorous plant, the young plants remain varietal.
Venus flytrap flowers need to be pollinated in order for them to set seeds
Venus flytrap flower needs to be fertilized
In order for the flower of a Venus flytrap to develop seed, it must be fertilized. This is usually done by insects, of which there are enough in the house.
If you want to be absolutely sure, pollinate the flowers yourself. You will need a brush with fine bristles for this. A cotton swab can also be used if necessary.
Run the paintbrush over the open Venus flytrap flower. Then brush over the next flower. Repeat this until all individual flowers are fertilized.
When is the seed ripe?
The capsules with the seeds form when the flower has dried up. However, this takes some time.
Once the seed pods are dry, the seed is ripe. The capsules contain a variety of black seeds.
How to harvest the seed
To harvest Venus flytrap seed, you have several options. You can wrap the long-stemmed flowers in a plastic bag that you tie at the bottom.
It is also possible to cut off the dried flower.
The easiest way to do this is to place a flat plate under the flower. When the seed is ripe, it will fall into the bowl by tapping it lightly.
Store in a cool, dark place after harvesting
- Store in a cool place until sowing
- preferably use the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator
- keep seeds dark
To grow new Venus flytraps from seeds, you need to wait until spring.
In the meantime, store the seeds in a cool, dark place. Since the seeds only germinate if they have been through a longer period of cold, place them in the fridge until sowing.
Wrap the seeds in an opaque bag to keep them out of the light.
tips
Most Venus flytrap growers will cut off the flowers of the plant as soon as the bud develops. The plant needs strength to flower. It then forms fewer traps.