FlyTrapCare Forums

ok well i know that during winter I should let it go into dormacy in a unheated room where it will still get sunlight and I should still give it water but if I leave it at regular winter temp will it die because it says during dormacy the ideal temp is 30-55 degrees but i live in chicago and the winters can get nasty like below zero what would you reccomend doing? and if i buy a venus fly trap online it says over night shipping an adult venus fly trap but how do I know if the soil the plant comes in is healthy for the flytrap? I read that the best medium for the fly trap is peat moss but I would i know if I have to repot it from the soil it comes in or how would i know its safe and i dont need to re-pot it? please reply thnx in advance

Hello and welcome to FlytrapCare!

raymond wrote:i live in chicago and the winters can get nasty like below zero what would you reccomend doing?

An unheated room in a house, a heated garage that stays fairly cool, and an unheated south facing porch are all good options. You basically have to decide on what to do with your plants based on what you have available to you. If you have no other options, the fridge method can be used as well. Just leave the plants outside until the chance of freeze comes and then put them in their chosen place for dormancy.

raymond wrote:if i buy a venus fly trap online it says over night shipping an adult venus fly trap but how do I know if the soil the plant comes in is healthy for the flytrap?

I'd imagine that most places that sell flytraps know what kind of soil to pot them in. But if you are uncertain, you can ask them or simply repot when you get it.

Raymond, My VFT's have survived -6c.. Snow and being frozen..
I saved them after about 2 days..
Keeping them in a room thats gets natural light during dormancy will work..

Ron.

raymond wrote:ok well i know that during winter I should let it go into dormacy in a unheated room where it will still get sunlight and I should still give it water but if I leave it at regular winter temp will it die because it says during dormacy the ideal temp is 30-55 degrees but i live in chicago and the winters can get nasty like below zero what would you reccomend doing? and if i buy a venus fly trap online it says over night shipping an adult venus fly trap but how do I know if the soil the plant comes in is healthy for the flytrap? I read that the best medium for the fly trap is peat moss but I would i know if I have to repot it from the soil it comes in or how would i know its safe and i dont need to re-pot it? please reply thnx in advance

Really dormancy should be outside, with lower temperatures, and less watering. I believe the plants don't need to photosynthesize that much during the winter months.