Growing Tips
The Venus Flytrap's reputation for being difficult to grow is unjustified. Follow this guide and you'll soon be growing huge, healthy specimens of this amazing plant.
Growing Locations-
Venus Flytraps need direct sunlight for healthy growth. The more light the better. They grow extremely well in conservatories and unheated glasshouses. Temperatures frequently hitting 30°C during summer and drop below 1°C in the winter is ideal. Windowsills are ok but you just need to think about the winter dormancy.
Watering-
During the growing season, you should stand the pot in about 1 cm of rain water at all times (avoid watering from the tap). During winter they require less water, and the soil should be kept just damp.
Compost-
Venus Flytraps like sphagnum peat moss mixed with perlite, to a ratio of about 2:1. Research is being done for the best peat free compost.
Winter Dormancy-
Venus Flytraps require a cold winter dormancy between November and February. Keeping them at about 1°C is best. They can withstand a freeze however not for long periods of time.
Feeding-
If growing them outside or in a glasshouse they will happily catch enough food themselves. If you keep your plants indoors then you can feed them with dead or live insects, trigger hairs need to be stimulated to ensure the trap fully closes for the digesting to start.
Flowers-
Unless you intend to harvest the seeds you should cut off the flower stalks. Flowering can be exhausting for Venus Flytraps and will grow more vigorously during summer if prevented from flowering.
Now you have your plants growing big and strong you might what to have a look at propagating.
Leaf cuttings-
In spring or early summer, peel the leaves off the rhizome (always pulling downward). Lay the leaf right-side up on some compost (same max as above). Cover the white base of the leaf with a little compost and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag. Place on a sunny windowsill and in a few mouths you will have some small leaves and roots growing and it will be ready for potting up.
Division-
Occasionally Venus Flytraps will produce offshoots and develop into a clamping plant. These are best divided in spring to early summer. Be sure that each crown of leaves has its own root system before dividing.
Seeds-
If your plants are strong and healthy you can let them flower. You can use a small toothpick or paint brush to pollinate but this is not always needed, most of the time it will self pollinate. After about six weeks you will see numerous small black shiny seeds. These seeds can be sown immediately or put in the fridge for later.
Use a 1-part peat and 1-part horticultural sand mix. Scatter seed on top of the compost and cover with a clear plastic bag. Keep in bright light and germination occurs in a 2-4 week period
Transplant the seedlings when they are about 1 year old.