FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I’ve two questions about the fridge dormancy method. I want to try it out this coming winter. First, do the VFTs need to be bare root? Second, do they need any light during dormancy? All the answers I’ve found contradict each other so clarification would be nice. Thanks

Chesser wrote:I’ve two questions about the fridge dormancy method. I want to try it out this coming winter. First, do the VFTs need to be bare root? Second, do they need any light during dormancy? All the answers I’ve found contradict each other so clarification would be nice. Thanks

You can bare root if you want but it is entirely optional and at fridge temps, no you do not need light.

Mine stay in their pots. No additional light needed. I'm starting to wake mine up now actually.
Here's how I do fridge dormancy, For VFTs, I drain off excess water from the pots, hit them with a sulphur based fungicide and place in zip lock bags and pop them in the fridge for 3-4 months. I occasionally check them (once a month) for fungus and hit with the fungicide if needed. Late winter around February/March I take them out hit them with sulphur based fungicide again and place in a south and west window until night time temps. regularly stay above freezing then slowly acclimate them to full outdoor Sun. I've been using this method for going on 11 years with no losses.

Chesser wrote:Do they need any light during dormancy?

They don't necessarily "need" any light, your flytraps will most certainly survive a darkened dormancy. But if you want your flytraps to thrive, it would be best to give them them a source of light, sunlight or a grow light (that doesnt emit heat), during this time. Because, even though they stop actively growing during this time, they can still photosynthesize energy and store it in their rhizomes. This significantly builds up their energy reserves during the winter, energy that they'll use to burst forth with lots of hungry traps and healthy flower spikes eager to bloom for you.