The dionee, or venus flytrap, are probably among the most peculiar plants there are. With their "toothed jaws" and a tendency to catch live prey, it's hard enough not to notice them. These plants are a scary attraction for any yard, window sill or garden. With a little research and a little tender love and care, you too can grow your own quirky and beautiful plants.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Put the Plant in a Vase
Step 1. Find out about venus flytrap before buying one
These fantastic carnivorous plants are made up of two parts: a stem or "body" of the plant which allows it to photosynthesize like all other plants, and the leaf or blade of leaves which helps to capture prey. The leaf blades are the "head" that anyone recognizes - it looks like a green conch shell with phenomenal long "teeth". These "teeth" are actually sensitive fluff that alerts the plant that there is a tasty insect nearby.
Step 2. Get your carnivorous plant
These protein-eating plants are common enough that you can find some in well-stocked supermarkets or garden centers, but if you want an older or hardy plant, look for a reputable nursery that grows them.
There are also online sites that specialize in carnivorous plants. If you are not able to find the plant you want, they can send you the one you are looking for, and also give you information about it
Step 3. Choose your vase
Carnivorous plants have relatively long roots, so they prefer pots that have some depth vertically. In general, a pot that gives your plant about 10cm of space to stretch the roots will do. Their roots are also sensitive to changes in temperature, so an insulating pot would be best. While plastic pots are fine too, you should definitely consider looking for an insulated pot at your nearest garden center.
That said, venus flytrap aren't overly problematic about their pots. You can use a real terrarium, a bucket with Plexiglas or glass, an old aquarium or a large goldfish bowl - you just need space for the roots to grow
Step 4. Give your plant the soil it wants
Native to marshy and swampy areas, venus flytrap require a lot of moisture and an acidic, poor and humid soil. This soil is obtained by mixing sphagnum and perlite in equal parts - never beach sand, which is too saline. Perlite is a form of hydrated obsidian that looks like small bits of white sand, and helps potted plants maintain hydration.
- Another mixture combination preferred by some flytrap growers is five parts of sphagnum, three of silica sand and two of perlite. Silica aids in oxygenation, and both (which is a quartz) and perlite do not release minerals into the soil, which is good for carnivorous plants.
- Do not use common plant soil, as it will kill the plant by burning its roots. You should also avoid fertilizing your venus flytrap, as fertilizer can also burn the roots, killing your plant. Do not use any enriched soil, as it contains fertilizers.
Step 5. Choose a place to keep the plant
Fly traps love sunlight: during the growing period, they need 12 hours of sunshine for proper photosynthesis. At least four of these hours of light should be in direct sunlight. Remember that the more sunlight your plant receives, the healthier it will be.
- If you are considering keeping your plant indoors, you will need to place it in an east, west or south facing window. The plant should receive a minimum of 4 hours of direct light each day. You could also grow your plant in a terrarium with a nearby plant or fluorescent light. The closer the light is, the healthier the plant will be.
- An easier way to make sure the plant gets the light it needs is to put the pot outside (or grow it in the garden). Just make sure you place it where it can receive direct sunlight.
Method 2 of 4: Care During the Growth Period
Step 1. Find out what your plant's growing period is
From April to October, or whatever time your plant thinks it's spring, it needs plenty of water and sun. The growing season is when your plant will be in full swing - "catching" prey, doing photosynthesis, producing flowers.
Step 2. Use pure water to water your plant
Distilled, deionized, and rainwater are all viable options. Tap water contains substances like chlorine, sodium, and sulfur (among other things), which will build up in your plant's soil, causing disease and eventually death.
You can use tap water if you measure the fixed residue of total dissolved solids. The fixed residue must be less than 50 parts per million (ppm) in order to be given to the plant with confidence
Step 3. Give your plant the water it needs
During the growth phase, your plant's soil should never be completely dry. Try to keep your plant's growing medium so it's moist to the touch (but not soggy). There are two ways of watering the plant, each with its own benefits:
- The tray method: this is the best way for an active growing plant that is directly exposed to the sun. Your plant should be in a pot that has drain holes in the bottom. Place the jar on a tray filled with water. The growing medium of the plant will absorb the liquid, giving it all the water it needs. Remember, however, that if your pot is relatively shallow (12-13cm) this method could be bad for your plant, as the roots could be surrounded by too much water, causing fungi or bacteria to grow.
- The Top Method: This is the way most plants are watered - you pour or splash water on the soil around the plant and let it run to the bottom of the pot. Your plant's soil should always be moist but never soggy, which means watering the plant 2 to 5 times in the growing period.
Step 4. Make sure the plant gets enough sunlight
As explained in the previous part of this article, Venus flytrap need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight during their growing periods. Beyond "eating" insects, carnivorous plants rely on photosynthesis to grow and be healthy. Place your plant in a spot where it will have at least 12 hours of light.
Method 3 of 4: Care During Hibernation
Step 1. Find out what your plant's hibernation period is
Between November and March, the plant will go through a dormant phase, which is when it stops making flowers or growing. Many carnivorous plants die during the dormant period because people continue to care for them as they would during the normal growing period.
Step 2. Reduce the amount of water you give the plant
You shouldn't use the tray method when your plant is hibernating; instead, water it by hand. While growing flytrap need a lot of water, this need is greatly reduced during hibernation. Most flytrap will only need water once every 10-14 days. The soil should become much drier (but never completely). The soil around the base and roots should be slightly moist, while the rest of the soil will be dry. Water the plant as you would any other time, making sure you do it thoroughly.
- When watering the plant, do it in the morning so that it has all day to dry out a little before the cold of night sets in.
- Don't overload your plant with water: water it only when the soil begins to feel dry around the base of the plant. If you give your plant too much water, fungal and bacterial growths become a serious risk.
Step 3. Continue to keep your plant in direct sunlight
Even though hibernation makes it appear that the plant does absolutely nothing, venus flytrap will continue photosynthesis even during hibernation, so your plant should still be exposed to light. If possible, bring your plant indoors and keep it under strong artificial light for the hibernation period.
Step 4. Protect your plant from freezing temperatures if you are growing it outdoors
What to do will depend on the climate in your area, and where you are growing the plant. If you are growing it outdoors, you have two options:
- If you are growing the plant outdoors and live in a place with a relatively warm climate (where the temperature generally never drops below -12 ° C), then you can leave your plant outdoors all year round. without protections.
- If you are growing the plant outdoors and live somewhere with a colder climate and occasional frosts, you should plant your flytrap in the ground for the winter (the pots absorb the surrounding air temperature). Plant them in a swampy garden, or in the ground if suitable for fly traps (see Part 1). You should also cover your plants with mud or leaves to keep them safe from bad weather.
Step 5. Bring the plants indoors if it's too cold outside
If you live in a climate that has extended periods of frost, you will need to bring Venus Flytrap indoors for the winter. Place it in the window of an unheated room like a garage or porch - it's the best way to keep a plant alive but dormant indoors. Place your plant in a south-facing windowsill if you can, this will allow the plant to continue photosynthesis.
Method 4 of 4: Other Basic Care
Step 1. Know that you don't have to give insects to your plant (but you can if you want)
Venus flytrap actually get most of their nutrients from the sun during photosynthesis. However, when outdoors, they actually catch insects (and occasionally small animals like frogs) which give them healthier nutrients. Remember that the trap does not close unless the object inside it moves, it means that you will have to give your plant live prey, such as flies and worms. A useful tip is to keep the prey in the freezer for a few minutes, so that it becomes very slow. You should only feed 1-2 of your plant's traps at a time, and only when the plant is strong and healthy.
- If you decide to feed your plant a dead insect, you should place an insect in the trap and then gently scrub it every 20-30 seconds until it closes completely. Scrubbing the traps makes the plant believe that the thing it caught is moving.
- Don't give your plant "exotic" food like burgers or cake. It is very likely that you would kill the plant, particularly if you give it meat, as it will have a negative reaction to the fat.
Step 2. Prune your plant
Pruning it helps keep your Venus flytrap healthy. Dead leaves can block the sun from younger ones that need light to grow. The leaves of your plant will turn brown when dying - these are the leaves you will want to get rid of. You can cut them off when they turn brown with a pair of scissors, but be sure not to cut off leaves that are still partially green (these leaves can still photosynthesize).
As the leaves turn brown, they should weaken and detach from the plant. Most of the time you should be able to simply peel them off with your fingers. You should also be aware that Venus Flytrap leaves tend to die in clusters
Step 3. Repot your plant
If you notice that the plant is starting to sit a little tight in its pot, that it has split into two (or more) plants, or that it dries out too quickly, it is time to transfer it. This operation requires the same or almost the same procedure as that used to put it in the original container (see Part 1).
Step 4. Try not to touch your plant's traps
Having the plant traps close when there is nothing they can "eat" is an unnecessary waste of your plant's energy. While it is acceptable to lightly rub the plant's traps after giving it a bug, you should limit the times you touch it. Never put anything in the traps except insects.
Warnings
- Never water too much. If there is too much moisture, mold may grow, which could easily kill the plant.
- Do not throw the plant away because it suddenly appears "dead" during the fall and winter: it is simply dormant and will grow back in the spring.
