FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hi All

Have been reading through the site and it appears I am doing everything wrong.
My flytraps are always submerged in water.
They flower once a year (I have let them)
I mildly fertilize

Funny thing is the plant is extremely healthy and continually putting out shoots and increasing in size.
One point is the traps do not seem to close much when touched. Mostly flys land on them and die.

Any comments would be appreciated. Perhaps different species?

Thanks

I'm assuming you mean the bottom of the pot is always standing in water, and not that the Flytraps themselves are submerged?
I'm also going to assume that your plants are mature enough to handle flowering, and that you live in a warmer climate (like Zone 8 or above), where flytraps can handle sitting in water without rotting.

The water level may have something to do with the traps not closing properly, but flies landing on them and just dying without actually being trapped doesn't make sense, unless you're spraying the plants with a pesticide.

As Steve mentioned, you probably live in an area that is a little more forgiving in terms of care techniques.

Also, if you could upload some photos of your plants, we might be able to better help determine the reason the traps aren't functioning properly.

Matt wrote:As Steve mentioned, you probably live in an area that is a little more forgiving in terms of care techniques.

Also, if you could upload some photos of your plants, we might be able to better help determine the reason the traps aren't functioning properly.

A picture would be most helpful. The jury is still out.

Hi all

Thanks for the responses
Here is a pic
BTW I live in New Zealand which is quite cool

well, i think you have a very special flytrap that, if propagated, will change the way carnivorous plant growers take care of their plants

What do you mean by mildly fertilize?

since you are in New Zealand, its Spring there and we are moving into Fall and Winter here.

Most likely your plant has been dormant, thus why it isn't catching flies. Or the trap closes, digests the fly, then reopens with a flattened fly.

I wouldn't fertilize it. it gets all it needs from bugs.

Letting a vft flower is optional. Most everybody says its a choice.

That's a nice looking plant. Good luck with it.

Wolfraven wrote:Hi all

Thanks for the responses
Here is a pic
BTW I live in New Zealand which is quite cool

From the pic they don't look submerged in water or necessarily "extremely" healthy because I see several deformed traps and it looks droopy.

xr280xr wrote:

Wolfraven wrote:Hi all

Thanks for the responses
Here is a pic
BTW I live in New Zealand which is quite cool

From the pic they don't look submerged in water or necessarily "extremely" healthy because I see several deformed traps and it looks droopy.

I agree, those deformed/yellowish traps are most likely that way because of the fertilizing. Fertilizing plants too much or in this case, unnecessarily, will "burn" (yellowing of leaves) them and stunt normal growth. Also, unfortunately cutting those flower stalks down will help the overall health of your plants especially since it is struggling a bit. Overall they don't look too bad though. It's not far away from being a really healty plant. Just give it lots of sun and water. Just keep in mind the roots do need oxygen so letting the soil dry a bit is good once in a while. Just don't let the soil get to dry, it should always be a little damp to the touch.

Thanks for the info peoples.
Love these plants