The carnivorous plants (carnivores) include all species that obtain their nutrients not only from the plant substrate, but also from traps. They lure insects into these traps, which they then digest to release nutrients. There are several representative species that are mainly grown as houseplants in our latitudes.

The Venus Flytrap is probably the best-known carnivorous plant

Representative species of carnivorous plants

  • Butterwort (Pinguicula)
  • Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes)
  • Sundew (Drosera)
  • pitcher plant (Sarracenia)
  • Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

The catching devices of the representative species

The main types of carnivorous plants differ not only in appearance and size. The nature of their traps is also very different. There are five different trap types:

  • Sticky traps (sundew, butterwort)
  • Snap traps (Venus flytrap)
  • Suction traps (water hoses)
  • pitfall traps (pitcher plant, pitcher plant)
  • Pot traps (various pitcher plants)

Caring for carnivorous plant species indoors

All carnivorous plants that you grow indoors as ornamental plants or to kill insects have certain requirements in terms of location and care. Some of the care requires some prior knowledge for the plants to thrive.

Butterwort is the easiest to grow. It is particularly suitable for plant lovers who want to get into the hobby of carnivore breeding.

All other representative species of carnivorous plants prefer specific locations where it is humid and higher temperatures prevail. These varieties are not suitable for the normal flower window.

Carnivorous plants require special soil

You should not grow any carnivorous plants in normal garden soil or in potting soil. These soils contain far too many nutrients and compact very quickly.

For carnivores there is special carnivore soil to buy. It is characterized by the fact that it is not very nutritious, but very loose. Orchid soil can also be used as a substitute if it is only slightly fertilized.

Experts make their own planting substrate for carnivores. The main component is peat (white peat), which is mixed with quartz sand, (15.85€) expanded clay, (19.73€) peat moss and even styrofoam balls.

Water carnivorous plants properly

The plant substrate of carnivorous plants must never dry out completely. Most representative species only tolerate waterlogging for a short time. It is advisable to always create a drainage system in the pot.

The pots with the carnivore species are placed in saucers. The irrigation water is poured into this in such a way that a water level of one to two centimeters is reached. This casting technique is called the accumulation method.

If the water has been absorbed by the substrate, wait two days and then pour in more water. All representative species do not like being watered from above.

Never water carnivorous plants with tap water

Carnivorous plants do not tolerate calcareous tap water. Always use rainwater. If there is no rainwater, water with still mineral water.

tips

You do not have to feed carnivorous plants with insects. Additional feeds are superfluous and even rather harmful. If you feed, then only one prey at a time, and only live insects.

Category:

Vegetable garden