FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Sponsored by FlytrapStore.com

Ask questions about how to grow and care for Venus Flytraps

Moderator: Matt

By Kvatch
Posts:  17
Joined:  Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:11 pm
#236047
IMG_2710.JPG
IMG_2710.JPG (647.79 KiB) Viewed 4205 times
Recently, I have decided to take another shot at growing Venus Fly Traps. I have been growing my Venus fly traps indoors for the past couple weeks and wondered which is the better option for my Venus Fly Traps. At the moment I have my Fly Traps in a South West facing window and they seem to be doing fine. But, I also own an EnviroGro FLT24 2-Ft, 4-Tube Fixture that I used to grow plants during the winter. The fixture has 4 fluorescent 24Watt 6400k T5 tubes and rated at about 8000Lumens. I am deciding whether I should move my flytraps 2-4 inches below the light fixture and have it on a 16hr timer or continue to leave my plants in the window. I want to give my Fly Traps the best possible light for my situation. I would prefer to keep my plants indoors because I do not want to deal with bad weather, Insects and other pests, and possibly burning my plant outside. I would appreciate if someone with more experience could give their opinion on the my situation and what would work best.

Thank You!! Any replys are much appreciated!!
FullSizeRender (1).jpg
FullSizeRender (1).jpg (359.18 KiB) Viewed 4205 times
Kvatch liked this
By Kvatch
Posts:  17
Joined:  Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:11 pm
#236154
I moved my Traps under the grow lights and will see how it goes.
Traps under Grow light.
Traps under Grow light.
FullSizeRender (2).jpg (528.07 KiB) Viewed 4151 times
By Kvatch
Posts:  17
Joined:  Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:11 pm
#236219
Also, what is a good height and time to have the grow light set to? Right now I have it around 2-3 inches above my plants and on a 16hr timer.

Thanks
By njamban303
Posts:  5
Joined:  Sun Feb 15, 2015 12:23 am
#236252
I've been growing my vfts outside all year long for years very successfully. I live in California haven't loss any VFT unless I forget to water. Pest seem not to bother them in full hot sun. Only when they don't get enough light Afids are attracted. Your VFT looks great !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
njamban303 liked this
By Morpheus
Posts:  234
Joined:  Wed Dec 25, 2013 4:19 am
#236262
Is it possible to grow outside? That would be the best option my flytraps grow in full sunlight from sunup to sundown and they love it. No artificial or window light will adequately compare to growing outside
Morpheus liked this
By Kvatch
Posts:  17
Joined:  Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:11 pm
#236273
I might start conditioning one of my flytraps to move outside to see how it does. Any idea on how long I should take to acclimate the plant?

Thanks
By IHaveNoIdea
Posts:  536
Joined:  Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:28 pm
#236275
It is really much healthier growing them outside. First day one hour, second they 2 hours, third day 3 hours etc. After a week you can keep them outside all day long.

I kept mine inside too, but there is almost immediately mold because of the lack of air movement. They can catch some bugs outside as well.
User avatar
By evenwind
Location: 
Posts:  2173
Joined:  Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:16 pm
#236277
Okay, some thoughts.

I've got a 2-tube fixture generally similar to your EnviroGro that I use for Pings and sundews. I just measured the light levels under it. When the sensor is 5" under the lights, my meter is showing around 3800 ft/candles. My main lights are around 3400 ft/candles at growing distance (I use 6.5" from the tube to the top of the pot). The VFTs under my main lights seem to be fine and I've been getting compliments on how bright the colors are.

So my guess would be that you can safely move your plants further from your lights. I'd try them at maybe 6 or 7 inches and see how it goes. A lot will depend on the color spectrum of your tubes and the efficiency of the reflectors. I really think 2-3" is way too close but maybe somebody with real experience with a 4-tube EnviroGro will add some comments.

Just keep in mind that growing under lights is not ideal and that your plants are going to be a bit more delicate than those grwing outdoors in a more natural environment. Good luck.
evenwind liked this
By Kvatch
Posts:  17
Joined:  Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:11 pm
#236278
I adjusted the height of the tubes to 6inch from the pot. Would a small fan on a timer be a good idea to have some air flow or would it be pointless? Also, I plan on acclimating one of my FlyTraps to the outside and will compare how it grows to the indoor plants.

Thanks
By Morpheus
Posts:  234
Joined:  Wed Dec 25, 2013 4:19 am
#236280
I would just throw them outside in the full sun. That's what I do with all my flytraps or sarracenia. I never acclimate, takes too much time and the leaves will still die off no matter how much you try to acclimate.

If you do keep them under lights, you'll have more intense colors but the plants will be weaker. They also might grow slightly leggy
Morpheus liked this
User avatar
By evenwind
Location: 
Posts:  2173
Joined:  Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:16 pm
#236282
Kvatch wrote:Would a small fan on a timer be a good idea to have some air flow or would it be pointless?
Personally, I don't use fans - maybe I should. A lot depends on where your lights are located in a room. A small fan (like the kind used in computer cases) would certainly not hurt and might do a lot of good. Just remember you're aiming for "air movement" and not "indoor hurricane". :)

Also: If, after your experiments, you're going to stick with growing indoors, I'd strongly suggest you get a light meter to take some of the guesswork out when you've got to move your plants around.
evenwind liked this
By Kvatch
Posts:  17
Joined:  Sat Jul 11, 2015 3:11 pm
#236284
I will look into getting a light meter and setting up a fan. I will leave updates in this thread.

Thanks

For $7 I'd have to pick one of those up myself!

Congrats on being a new flytrap owner! The trap wi[…]

SASE received. Order is fulfilled. Return envelope[…]

SASE received. Order is fulfilled. Return envelope[…]

I got you. Order received. Your order number is 1[…]

I think I could achieve something similar wi[…]

Not what you would expect...

There are no mounds of moss in the picture. There[…]

Damn, I think one of the sundews rotted away. No i[…]

Support the community - Shop at FlytrapStore.com!