For a plant, the carnivorous plant has a very specific taste. Here you can find out everything you need to know about feeding the Venus flytrap.
The special charm of keeping a carnivorous plant like the venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) lies in being able to watch them catch their prey. If there is no insect around for a long time, you quickly tend to go hunting yourself and feed your Venus flytrap. But the carnivorous plant is choosy and does not tolerate every well-intentioned piece of prey. We will explain whether you should feed your flytrap and if so, what needs to be considered.
Venus Flytrap: Should You Feed Them?
The Venus flytrap is characterized by a rather small appetite. In most cases, she can manage without your help and is sufficiently supplied with nutrients. However, feeding is not harmful as long as you pay attention to a few things.
Feed Venus Flytrap: Appropriate food
Feeding a carnivorous plant like the Venus Flytrap is an attraction for both young and old. If you observe the following 3 tips, nothing should stand in the way of successfully feeding predators.
1. Feed live prey
It is important that you feed live insects. The movement of the live insect within the closed trapping leaves provides a stimulating Stimulus that provides for the gradual secretion of digestive enzymes that kill the prey and then decompose. Should you feed a dead insect or even a small piece of meat, this stimulus would not take place and the trap door would open again after some time. This costs your Venus flytrap a lot of energy and reduces the number of possible closures per trap leaf.
2. It all comes down to the right size
In order for the Venus Flytrap to use its prey effectively, it must be the right size. Insects that are too small can escape because the trapping leaves do not close flush. Insects that are too large often manage to fight their way free or die in the snap trap without being able to be completely decomposed. The "decomposition" of the insect's body can lead to the growth of mold and bacteria that can severely weaken and even kill your Venus Flytrap. As a rule of thumb, the prey should be about one-third the size of the trapping leaves for effective digestion to take place.
3. Don't feed too often
You can safely feed your Venus flytrap one insect at a time every four to five days, but you shouldn't do it much more frequently. Natural catches can also occur between feedings, which also ensure a high nutrient input. If you overdo it with the feeding frequency, it can lead to an excess of nutrients in the plant and, as a result, overgrowth. In addition, the plant becomes more susceptible to diseases because it develops fleshier tissue. So stick to the principle: less is more.
Tip: It's totally understandable to be curious about what happens when you put your finger in the snap-trap. You're welcome to pursue your research instincts, but it's best to give it a try, otherwise you'll only weaken your Venus Flytrap unnecessarily.
Venus Flytrap: Further care
Certainly the biggest unique selling point of the Venus flytrap is its carnivorous diet. But other aspects of their care requirements clearly set the Venus flytrap apart from conventional houseplants. She likes a permanently moist growing medium, although she tolerates waterlogging. Normally, the Venus flytrap can completely do without fertilization. We explain these and other special features in our Special articles for proper care and Reproduction of the Venus Flytrap.
