FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hello fellow fly trappers,
And pretty new to this hobby and was wondering how much of this dying trap should I trim off?



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I would wait a few days until it becomes completely black, because cutting into live tissue, even if done accidentally, can harm the plant. Then, you can just pull it off, but be careful, since traps still remain attached to the rhizome for a while, so don't be aggressive.

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I agree with tothkonrad33. Leave it for now. We always leave blackening leaves on until they become completely black and dry. As the leaf dies, the plant reabsorbs nutrients and fluid from the tissues that gives the rest of the plant a boost. Once it's completely dead and dry and comes off with an easy tug is when we remove leaves.

Tothkonrad33 and Matt, Thanks for the answers. It's so good to have these forums to get answers from the experts. It's also cool to know why to do these things.


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Matt wrote: As the leaf dies, the plant reabsorbs nutrients and fluid from the tissues that gives the rest of the plant a boost.

I've heard this before. Any chance you can cite a source? I'm not doubting you, but I'd like to read more about it.

xr280xr wrote:I've heard this before. Any chance you can cite a source? I'm not doubting you, but I'd like to read more about it.

I'm citing my own personal observation

I don't think I've ever read it anywhere. I've just noticed the correlation over the last 10 years or so of growing and observing tens of thousands of flytraps.

Google "leaf senescence", This seems to provides a few details, but basically before a leaf dies it breaks down what it can and pulls the nutrients out, this is why the leafs turn colors as they die (get yellowish).

Matt wrote:I'm citing my own personal observation

I don't think I've ever read it anywhere. I've just noticed the correlation over the last 10 years or so of growing and observing tens of thousands of flytraps.

Fair enough, very observant!

edman007 wrote:Google "leaf senescence", This seems to provides a few details, but basically before a leaf dies it breaks down what it can and pulls the nutrients out, this is why the leafs turn colors as they die (get yellowish).

Awesome, thanks!

Thanks for the information and link, edman007!