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It is very important to use nutrient POOR soil to grow Venus Flytraps. Regular potting soil will burn the roots and kill the plant very quickly. Fertilizing Venus Fly Traps is also not recommended. The fertilizer will burn the roots and likely kill the plant. Some experts use extremely diluted fertilizer and apply it only to the leaves of the plant, but this is risky for a beginner and not recommended.
Dionaea aren't very picky about the medium you use. Perhaps the easiest medium to use is just pure peat moss. This dead, milled version of peat moss is typically sold in large bales at virtually any retailer that carries potting soil. It seems that the most widely accepted medium to use is a 1:1 mix (in terms of volume) of peat and perlite.
Perlite is relatively easily found also. Perlite provides aeration and optimum moisture retention. Many people substitute silica or horticultural sand for perlite. This 1:1 mix of peat and perlite is commonly referred to as the "standard" CP (carnivorous plant) mix, because most all carnivorous plants grow well in this medium. Many growers like to use the standard CP mix and then top it off of long-fibered sphagnum moss to prevent the perlite from floating to the top. I found that the perlite has a strong tendency to float to the top of the mix if it is exposed to heavy rains.
Mixing the soil
Choose an adequately large container that will allow you to mix the peat and perlite without spilling it. A five gallon bucket works well.
First, pour in the peat moss:
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Then add some perlite:
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Lastly, add some distilled water and mix
You will have to add quite a bit of water to the mix because the peat moss soaks it up like a sponge. Keep adding water and stirring the mix together until the peat is soaked and the perlite is well mixed in and the peat moss is saturated. The peat moss has a tendency to be hydrophobic initially, especially if it is cold, but it will eventually start soaking up the water. Ultimately, you should end up with something that looks like this:
To plant a Venus Fly trap, you can completely fill the pot with soil, then use your fingers or a small shovel or some other tool to spread open a deep hole. Make the hole deep enough to accommodate the roots with minimal winding. Ensure that the roots get as far down in the soil as possible, then gently press the soil in around the roots of the plant. Do not plant the Venus Fly trap too deeply in the soil, but make sure that the white part of the rhizome is completely covered. Spray the soil and the plant to make sure that it is initially very wet after being potted.
If you have any more questions, be sure to read the Venus Fly Trap Soil FAQs.
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My particular situation was not covered in your (very informative) website's FAQ section, so I have a question for you.
After searching for some time for perlite, I resorted to purchasing the "Desert Sand" product variety by Mosser Lee. I have read dissenting opinions about using this type of sand in a soil mixture (part Desert Sand, part Sphagnum Moss) for potting a VFT.
From what I've researched, the ideal soil conditions necessary for the flytrap's survival contain sand that has a) a neutral PH and b) does not contain any salts.
If you aren't sure if desert sand is specifically not recommended, would you happen to know what it contains?
My VFT has arrived in a baggie, and I fear it will die if I don't pot it soon!!
I look forward to hearing back from you! Thank you very much for your time.
-Brady Gower
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