FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hello everyone, I received my vft seeds from Fishman yesterday! Now I'm trying to decide what growing medium to use for them. I'm used the LFSM for my adult plants, but didn't know if something else might be easier or work better for starting seeds. Also this is my first time with seeds so any tips are greatly appreciated! Thank you!

https://www.flytrapcare.com/growing-ven ... -from-seed
This is one of the best places to start...

I am considering water germination for at least half of the ones that I have on the way from the FTS

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jcroyle wrote:I am considering water germination for at least half of the ones that I have on the way from the FTS

Sent from Second star to the right and straight on 'till morning"

I'm trying to decide if I want to try this method too

I started 20 seeds side by side in peat/sand/perlite mix and pure LFS. The seedlings in the LFS have a couple more traps, appear slightly larger and there is one in particular that is twice the size of any other. They both are growing well though otherwise.

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cjpflaumer wrote:I started 20 seeds side by side in peat/sand/perlite mix and pure LFS. The seedlings in the LFS have a couple more traps, appear slightly larger and there is one in particular that is twice the size of any other. They both are growing well though otherwise.

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Thank you for the info!! That is interesting!

High quality long fiber sphangum moss, is my preference. Moss like FTS' New Zealand sphagnum, or BetterGro orchid moss that is light colored and fluffy. It can be kept extra humid and doesn't get moldy or slimy. You can chop it up a little first to make it easier to unpack when it's time to transplant.

I have also had the best success using chopped LFSM. I HIGHLY suggest you sterilize everything the best you can before starting seeds. Once I started boiling my LFSM I have had no mold issues but before it was quite daunting watching mold ravage a pot of seeds after 2 weeks. Germination chambers for seed are also germination chambers for mold so be as clean as possible.

I use lfs, peat and sand, and water.

Thank you everyone! I think I'm going to use lfsm. I called a local nursery and asked if they carry it and they said they have some but its not labeled long fiber. And they said its nice and green and pretty. I've only seen tan used for planting. Does the color matter? I'm going to go look at it today but wasn't sure if green vs not green mattered.

Green could either mean live, a colored topper, or algae. Sometimes they sell dead crunchy moss as a decorational topper for plants like orchids (such as mosser lee moss), and sometimes it's artificially colored green. That's no good for growing in.

Good sphagnum moss looks like the picture below but it is light green when it's still alive. For seedlings, you probably don't want to use live sphagnum because it will overgrow them, but you could let it dry out first then use it.

Good moss: Bad moss:

xr280xr wrote:Green could either mean live, a colored topper, or algae. Sometimes they sell dead crunchy moss as a decorational topper for plants like orchids (such as mosser lee moss), and sometimes it's artificially colored green. That's no good for growing in.

Good sphagnum moss looks like the picture below but it is light green when it's still alive. For seedlings, you probably don't want to use live sphagnum because it will overgrow them, but you could let it dry out first then use it.

Good moss:

Good Sphagnum.jpg

Bad moss:

Bad Moss2.jpg

Thank you so much! The bad moss you pictured is exactly what they were selling. I'm glad I decided against it. I ended up just ordering some from the FTS since I know it is tried and true and the plants love it. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can start my seeds!

taylerhill wrote:

xr280xr wrote:Green could either mean live, a colored topper, or algae. Sometimes they sell dead crunchy moss as a decorational topper for plants like orchids (such as mosser lee moss), and sometimes it's artificially colored green. That's no good for growing in.

Good sphagnum moss looks like the picture below but it is light green when it's still alive. For seedlings, you probably don't want to use live sphagnum because it will overgrow them, but you could let it dry out first then use it.

Good moss:

Good Sphagnum.jpg

Bad moss:

Bad Moss2.jpg

Thank you so much! The bad moss you pictured is exactly what they were selling. I'm glad I decided against it. I ended up just ordering some from the FTS since I know it is tried and true and the plants love it. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can start my seeds!

I would recommend chopping it up a little bit. It makes it easier to have a semi flat surface. I have done it both ways and they both work though. I am hoping for the best with your seeds!

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