Venus FlytrapDionaea muscipulaGo to list of Care Sheets.
A couple stories tell how the Venus flytrap got its name. The version most suitable for the general public describes how Venus arose from the sea in a clamshell. Because the traps of the plant resemble the clamshells found growing along the coastal shorelines in North Carolina, early American colonists in the region thought it cute to name it Venus flytrap. That version, however, is not historically accurate. The historically accurate version contains adult subject matter. I won’t bore you with the juicy details, but let's just say that an early American colonist was in a particularly mischievous mood when he named the plant. I’ll let you use your imagination! In cultivation, many varieties of the Venus flytrap highlight or exaggerate a particular feature. The typical form has long, thin teeth along the edge of the trap. The dente flytrap has short, triangular teeth. The red dragon turns completely red and has thinner petioles. Other specialty varieties slowly making their way into the market are red piranha (a red version of dente), sawtooth (very small teeth) and all green (no red pigment).
As adult plants, Venus flytraps grow to 6 inches in diameter with traps typically measuring up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). A variety very popular among first-time growers is big mouth. Its traps have been reported to get up to 2 inches (5 cm) long. Although genetics play a role, the growth of large traps depends heavily on having optimal growing conditions. We have seen giant varieties produce typical-looking traps, and we have seen typical flytraps produce monstrous traps. For this reason, we don’t keep the so-called giants in our collection. In late spring, Venus flytraps produce small white flowers that readily self-pollinate. In mid to late summer, you can collect seeds once the entire stalk turns completely black and dries up.
If full sun is not possible, provide a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight with bright indirect light during the rest of the day. Your plant won’t be as vibrant or sturdy as one grown in full sun, but you will be able to maintain its overall health.
When growing your flytrap in containers, you will need to pay attention to soil temperature. While it may not be necessary to shade your plant during the hottest parts of summer, you may need to top water your plants daily to prevent the roots from over heating. Plants will over heat when the soil temperature approaches 110°F (43°). Monitor soil temperature whenever the daytime temperature rises above 100°F (38°C). If you live in areas where temperatures routinely rise above 100°F (38°C) during the summer, follow the instructions for Desert Growing located in the e-book, Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden.
If you grow your plant in a pond or fountain, keep the water level no higher than halfway up the pot. Avoid drowning the crown of the plant.
Even while dormant, your plant will still need to sit in a small amount of standing water to prevent its soil from drying out. Don’t worry about overnight temperature dips as low as 20°F (-7°). While dormant, your plant can certainly tolerate overnight frosts with minimal winter protection. However, plants are very susceptible to freeze damage when grown in containers. You will need to protect your plant when the temperature falls below 20°F (-7°C) or whenever there is a combination of freezing temperatures and wind. Both types of winter conditions can certainly cause serious frost burn. To prevent frost burn, cover it with black plastic or a tarp, or move it into an unheated garage or shed. As soon as the freeze is over and the temperature climbs above 35°F (2° C), uncover your plant and allow it to continue its dormancy outdoors. If you live in an area where the temperature routinely goes below 32°F (0°C) for more than a week at a time, such as in zones 7 or less, you will need to winterize your container plants. Container plants can certainly tolerate brief freezes. But with prolonged freezes, your plants are at risk for frost burn. You can find additional details on how to winterize your plants for winter dormancy in the Fall and Winter Care section of the e-book, Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden.
If you choose to feed your plant, use recently killed insects. Do not feed your plant meat. Feeding is not at all required during the winter months when the plant is dormant. Because there is already an abundance of insects outdoors, it's not necessary to supplement with foliar sprays.
Repot during late winter and early spring, especially if you want really robust plants in time for summer. In general, however, you can repot your plants at any time of the year. If you choose to repot at a time other than early spring, make sure you keep the roots intact. When changing pots, use a tall one that will easily accommodate its long root system. Flytraps tend to grow faster and larger when their roots have room to grow. Large pots will also give your plants added protection during the winter.
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