FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

So I couldn't help myself. As much as I don't like growing Venus Flytraps from seed, I couldn't resist the temptation of getting some potentially really interesting flytrap from Matt's seed mix. While I was at it, I decided to order some Darlington Californica seed, even though I've never grown one of these. So I shot first, and now I'm asking questions.
I tried to find some info on the forums, and there is a Care Guide that mentions germination of seeds; with all due respect to the author, I'm kind of hoping that he is wrong, and that successful germination doesn't require stratifying the seeds in wet sphagnum in my fridge for several weeks, hoping that they somehow avoid mold and germinate. I know some insist upon stratifying Dionaea seeds, while others don't. So I was hoping that Cobra seeds can be germinated more easily than the fridge technique? And if the fridge is necessary, can I do peat moss instead of sphagnum? Me and sphagnum don't play well together. Or could I just attempt to stratify them in the temperatures that I will keep my flytraps at for dormancy (35-55 degrees)? Any help would be appreciated.

I stratified half of mine and planted half right away. They pretty well all took about a month-6 weeks to germinate, and they pretty well all germinated. While it's recommended, it's not 100% necessary.

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Thank you! I may attempt to germinate half now, and if that don't work, I'll try stratifying down the road.

They are EXTREMELY slow growers! My 3 and 4 month old seedlings really don't look much bigger than those a couple weeks germinated, just a second or third carnivorous leaf/pitcher.

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Reading the directions here for starting Flytrap seeds, I got one of those goofy terrariums at thinkgeek.com http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/76c9/? ... lant%20set. Of course the directions are wrong, and there is no way you can grow any pitcher plants. But as a seed starter, it seems ideal. It comes with the soil, some seeds and such. To stratisfy my Darlington Californica Seeds, I just planted them in it an put it in a sheltered sunny location for the winter. Our winters here in N. Virginia can be plenty cold with lots of snow, but the dome should protect the seeds somewhat. Heopefully I'll have baby pitcher plants in the spring.

I have succesfully grown dewthreads (Drosera filformis) from seed with this technique. In fact, it worked so well that I have dewthread "weeds" growing in my other pots.

Mine after a a few months germinated but they died after three or four months. Cannot keep up with the warm climate here in aisa. Even tried placing ice cubes when the weather was so hot to keep the roots cold.

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