FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hey Everyone
I recently got a VFT for my birthday, I’ve already done some research myself about these fascinating plants but I’d appreciate some advice from experienced owners as I’m very new to this. First of all, it’s about that time of year where it gets cold here in East Tennessee... I’ve set up my plant according to what little I’ve read, it’s sitting next to my window that faces SE. A few of the traps appear to have died, I’m aware that this is a normal part of the dormancy process but I’m no expert so I’m open to anyone’s thoughts. Does my plant look healthy to everyone?
Thank you

Welcome to the Forums! Lots of good info in this thread: http://www.flytrapcare.com/phpBB3/begin ... 11581.html

Hello : )

Hello!
plant looks healthy, but i really think that it could use more light. if you do choose to give it more light increase the ammount it gets slowly. it is nearing dormancy time so when that happens you can put it in a zip-loc bag and put it in the fridge. check every week to make sure there's not mold. use sulfur-based fungicide if there is mold. you really don't need all that water in the bin, just make sure the moss is damp/wet. i suggest checking out some other fourm posts and stuff.

Hello and welcome! I think ChefDean keeps his stuff outside year-round (He lives in TN). Major thing to avoid is just consistent freezing. Personally not a fan of the net pots with the moss. It just burns through water. Net pots in general are pretty good for root systems though (particularly with rammification in bonsai trees). VFTs it isn't really necessary though. I agree, it definitely doesn't need that much water, especially with LFS. Indoors it's not really evaporating to the degree that you'd need to water like that. If it sits in pools of water for long periods of time it's more prone to rot inside (I've had that happen). It'd no doubt do better outside but if you're set on keeping it indoors for a while then cut back on the watering. I think I saw the video where the guy recommended that. It's really not a good idea. The plant won't utilize the water because it's getting indirect sunlight so it doesn't have the need to absorb tons of water. I'd let it ride in the pot it's in for now but I'd change it over in March before the spring hits. Right before they come out of dormancy.

Thanks Everyone!
The fridge method interests me, I watched a YouTube tutorial and another one detailed out step-by-step on this forum. Thanks for letting me know about the water. Only thing now is to get that Sulfur-based fungicide... So I plan on trimming off the dead leaves and using a small Tupperware container with the sphagnum and the fungicide for the winter. I’m going to post again showing what I did... The only thing I’m not really sure about here is should I wait a period of time before doing this or is there some kind of indication other than a few dead traps for dormancy that should let me know they are ready for this?
I really appreciate all of your replies!

@Eli, One suggestion. Before you get the sulfur-based fungicide, use the forum's "advanced search" function and look for "cinnamon". It's not as strong as commercial fungicides but it's a lot nicer to have in your refrigerator.

Welcome to FlytrapCare, Eli!

Thank you!

Hello everybody, I just recently got into collecting and caring for CPs. I have quite a few of CPs in my collection now and I got my first a little over a month ago!

Ok so I made fungicide by steeping and filtering cinnamon with distilled water and put it into a spray bottle. I sprayed down the plants and have put them in the fridge for dormancy...

That's pretty clever. I'd like to hear how it does. Post an update later on if you remember,

I'm not an expert on fridge dormancy by any means but is the media supposed to be that wet?

Eli wrote: ↑Thu Nov 26, 2020 3:31 pm Hey Everyone...
Does my plant look healthy to everyone?
Thank you

Hi Eli, welcome to the group mate. You might want to consider not standing your pot in a pool of water as it can rot the roots. If you want water in the bottom, you should get some small pebbles (maybe around a cm or so in size) enough to fill a saucer or whatever you're using for a base (what you're using looks good, fill it around half way) then pour water on the pebbles to just under the top pebbles. Stand your pot on the pebbles and it'll help by creating humidity.

Eli wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 4:23 am Ok so I made fungicide by steeping and filtering cinnamon with distilled water and put it into a spray bottle. I sprayed down the plants and have put them in the fridge for dormancy...

Looks good. Just remember to check them periodically.

Apollyon wrote: ↑Sat Dec 05, 2020 5:29 am That's pretty clever. I'd like to hear how it does. Post an update later on if you remember,

I'm not an expert on fridge dormancy by any means but is the media supposed to be that wet?

Well, I was thinking about that and I felt it, it didn’t feel really wet just damp so I figured it was ok, I’ve checked them a few times and they appeared to be fine.