Keeping and caring for the Venus flytrap

The Venus flytrap has the botanical name Dionaea muscipula and belongs to the sundew family. The plant is very unusual because it is one of the carnivorous specimens, the carnivores. The Venus flytrap has very specific requirements when it comes to keeping, location conditions and care. These must be strictly adhered to so that it can thrive. The plant is particularly peculiar to the watering units; in addition, it has to be fed when necessary.

Location

The Venus flytrap is an extremely sun-hungry plant, as it is used to a subtropical climate from its home. The stronger the sunlight, the more splendidly the carnivores develop. Only when the plant is in direct sunlight does it form many new and large traps. In addition, the sun creates the red and brightly shining color on the inside of the traps. If the location is too dark, the Venus flytrap will only form very small traps. These stay green when there is no sun and sit on stems that are much too long and towering, so there is a risk that they will break off.

• prefers full sun locations with many hours of sunshine
• in summer a sunny place outside is ideal, e.g. B. Balcony or terrace
• Direct midday heat is well tolerated after getting used to it
• does not like extreme fluctuations in temperatures
• protect from drafts that are too cold
• does not tolerate penumbra or shade
• In places that are too dark, the traps do not open, they remain green

care

The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant and inherently not particularly sensitive. It does not make great demands on the plant substrate and the site conditions. The exotic carnivore can adapt well to different environments, but it has some special care requirements.

origin

It is native to the North American states of North and South Carolina, from where it has spread to northwest Florida. In these areas, the soil quality and the water conditions are often very poor, which is why the Venus flytrap has persistent properties. In this region, bush fires often occur, which the carnivores can normally survive, as their roots reach deep into the ground.

• forms rhizomes with fibrous side roots
• sophisticated root system allows good water absorption
• Roots enable a firm hold
• The main root dies after germination
• after that, small and fibrous runners form
• these fine roots are extremely deep in the earth
• if the above-ground parts of the plant are destroyed, they will sprout again

Plant substrate

The Venus flytrap prefers nutrient-poor soils, a mixture of peat and sand is ideal. You can easily make this mixture yourself. Specialized soil for carnivores is available in specialist shops, these mixtures are perfectly tailored to the needs of carnivorous plants.

• Mix 2/3 peat soil with 1/3 sharp sand
• Plant substrate should have a pH value of 3.5-4.5
• preferably lime-free substrate with high permeability
• allow good drainage
• Put on drainage before filling
• Spread a layer of potsherds on the bottom of the pot

to water

The Venus flytrap is native to the moorlands of North and South Carolina. There the carnivores thrive in a permanently moist and swampy environment with acidic properties. Watering the carnivores requires a lot of tact, because the plant does not like to be watered from above. The irrigation water should be able to pull up into the soil of the pot from below. In this way, the roots can extract the required water unit themselves and dose it as needed, just like in the wild. As an alternative to tap water, distilled water is not recommended as it does not contain any nutrients.

• Always keep the plant substrate slightly moist
• Allow to dry only slightly between the casting units
• never let it dry out completely
• Pot must not be completely soaked
• Tap water with a lot of lime is not tolerated
• Low-lime rainwater is ideal for watering
• use still mineral water as an alternative to rainwater
• Place the plant in a bowl for a few days
• fill this with about 2 cm of rain or mineral water
• then take a break of 2-3 days
• then fill the bowl with water again

humidity

If the room air is too dry, the Venus flytrap withers and dries up. In this case, spraying with water is not enough. Carnivores need a relatively high level of humidity, especially during winter, when the continuously running heaters dry out the room climate.

• preferred humidity of 40-55%
• suffers from insufficient humidity in winter
• the exact value can be determined with a hydrometer
• needs a suitable microclimate for wintering
• Closed showcases, terrariums or aquariums are suitable as winter quarters

Fertilize

In its natural habitat, the Dionaea muscipula often grows and thrives on very nutrient-poor soils. This is why the plant has only a small need for nutrients, in addition, it gets the necessary nutrients from the trapped insects. If the fertilizer is too high and the soil is extremely rich in nutrients, the Venus flytrap can even die. The conventional fertilizer for garden and house plants is not suitable for the carnivores.

• does not usually need additional fertilization
• If necessary, fertilize every 4-5 months at the most
• use a small amount of fertilizer
• Use extremely low concentration fertilizer for carnivores

Falling

Due to the poor soil conditions in their home, the Venus flytrap gets the nutrients it needs from its hinged trap. These have developed from the leaves of the plant and are equipped with fine bristles. These sensors are located on the edges of the traps and ensure that they close extremely quickly if an insect gets lost in the trap. Although the appetite of the carnivore is quite modest, it still eats insects on a regular basis. The inside of the flap changes color from intense sunlight to simulate an inflorescence. In addition, a kind of attractant is also designed to lure insects. This combination is an irresistible bait for insects.

• Trap turns bright red from the sun
• forms nectar as an attractant for insects
• Nectar gives off a sweet scent
• high snap speed
• averages 100 milliseconds
• Catch leaves equipped with feeler bristles
• Sensors are used for selection

feeding

The Venus flytrap obtains the necessary nutrients from its utilization of the insects caught alive. She is very picky about the prey, every catch is carefully checked before consumption. During the summer, the plant usually catches its own food because there are enough insects around. During the rather barren winter time, this should also be fed manually by hand. The carnivores hardly accept dead food at all. The receptors inside the trapping leaves check whether the trapped insect is still alive and wriggling. If this is not the case, the folding trap opens again and releases the prey.

• only live insects are suitable for feeding
• these include: ants, woodlice, flies and spiders
• Prey should be no more than a third as large as the volume of the trap
• if the insect is too large, the trap can die
• Carefully grasp prey with tweezers
• Drop the insect on the catch leaf
• The latch closes at lightning speed

Tip: If the reflexive closing function does not work properly, it can be triggered by lightly tapping a blade of grass.

blossoms

In addition to the exotic traps, the Dionaea muscipula also forms flowers. These sit on extremely long stems so that pollinating insects do not accidentally get caught in the trap and are eaten. In this way, the Venus flytrap ensures natural reproduction of its species.

• Flowers sit on stems up to 30 cm long
• Diameter is approx. 3 cm
• apart white flowers look like a filigree work of art
• 5 small and slightly green sepals, the so-called sepals
• in addition, 5 white petals, the so-called petals
• Petals have fine green veins

Overwinter

The Venus flytrap needs a rest period with low temperatures in winter. Maintenance can be a bit difficult in many apartments during this time, as the heaters are running in most of the rooms. The beginning of winter dormancy can be recognized by the fact that the carnivores are now forming lots of small traps. Then the time has come to move the plant to a significantly cooler location. However, this does not tolerate frost, so it must not be too cold in the winter quarters. This should not be too dark either, so attics without windows and garages are not suitable.

• Plant is not frost hardy
• temperature values ​​of 5 ° -10 ° Celsius are ideal
• there must be no strong temperature fluctuations
• Consistently tempered winter gardens are ideal
• alternatively, overwinter in bright corridors and attics
• Unused guest rooms are also possible
• do not place in direct sunlight
• Avoid drafts at all costs
• do not set up in the immediate vicinity of ventilation windows
• Restrict water supply
• Give irrigation water about once a month

Multiply

The Venus flytrap reproduces by itself with good care and optimal location conditions. However, it needs enough space in its planter for this. The plant divides by itself every year without having to help. The carnivore can also be propagated by leaf cuttings and manual division if greater growth is desired. When propagating by leaf cuttings, it takes some time until a real plant has emerged from it. With manual division, complete plants are created directly. Until the freshly divided plants and young leaf cuttings have built up their own strong root system, they must under no circumstances be exposed to direct sunlight. The water intake is not yet working properly and the young plants are very sensitive.

Leaf cutting

• Snap off the leaf as close as possible to the base
• leave a piece of the rhizome on
• Fill the pot with nutrient-poor cultivation soil
• A mixture of peat and sand is ideal
• Moisten only lightly until roots are formed
• rainwater is ideal
• wait until the pot is completely rooted
• then repot the young plant in normal plant substrate
• do not expose to direct sunlight

Manual division

• Perform immediately after the winter break
• cut into several pieces with a sharp and clean knife
• each section must have leaves, rhizomes and roots
• Put new plants in separate flower pots
• From now on, care for and treat like adult Venus flytraps
• watch out with direct sun

Diseases

Diseases & pests

The pest infestation can cause serious problems with the Venus flytrap. Therefore, the carnivore should be checked regularly for pest infestation. If the plant is kept too dry, it will quickly deteriorate. In this case, the water supply must be carefully increased. If you follow the right care steps, disease will usually not occur.

• susceptible to aphids
• pick them by hand
• then wash the plant with mild soapy water
• Infestation with thrips and sciarid fly larvae possible
• transplant into a new flower pot
• Water fresh plant substrate well before planting
• Rinse the roots with plenty of water beforehand
• in the case of extremely strong infestation, the chemical agent Lizetan helps
• really only use in an emergency