FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

My flytrap has survived winter in my enclosed sunroom (that has a portable heater.) I have moved it outside, for rain and bugs. New growth is appearing as you can see! My questions: 1) dirt is keeping traps open, yet when I try to get the dirt out, the trap naturally closes. How can you safely flush a trap clean? 2) Is there anything special I should do or be aware of at this time? This is the first time I have successfully brought flytraps through winter.

On a different note, I also have Purple Pitchers, as you can see next to the Venus Flytrap. Note what I am assuming are flower buds developing! YEAH!
Connie

cadorn wrote:) dirt is keeping traps open, yet when I try to get the dirt out, the trap naturally closes. How can you safely flush a trap clean?

You can try using a spray bottle to wash it out or just leave it.

cadorn wrote:2) Is there anything special I should do or be aware of at this time?

Squirrels, birds and other pests! Watch for aphids, but in most cases it's the larger animals that cause more problems.

THANKS! I will try the spray, and be on the lookout for the blasted aphids. Neem oil and other treatments for aphids are forbidden for carnivorous, right> [Sigh.] The plants are up away from mammal predators, so that isn't a worry. But last summer I saw finches peck at the plants. [Another sigh.] Yet another question: each trap has a limited number of closings before it can't perform anymore, right? So when it closes due to me trying for dirt removal, I am shortening its life rather than helping it?
Connie

cadorn wrote:Yet another question: each trap has a limited number of closings before it can't perform anymore, right?

Yes, but the exact number can vary quite a bit.

cadorn wrote:So when it closes due to me trying for dirt removal, I am shortening its life rather than helping it?

Well, they can still perform photosynthesis after they've become inactive. I wouldn't worry too much about it unless you're tripping all of the traps closed repeatedly right after they reopen.

A relief! THANK YOU!