Fieldofscreams wrote:The reason I recommend using white pots is to keep the soil temps down. It makes a huge difference.
You guys could do a simple experiment. Fill a white pot with NZLFSM and then fill a black pot with a dark soil like peat/perlite.
Set them both in the sun.
You can feel the difference just by touching them. You will also notice a difference in how fast the dark pot/soil dries out compared to the other pot.
As far as why flytraps tend to lose color in height of the growing season I don't really know, could be heat, could be more sun, could be more intense sun or a combination of all those. I've never really cared since they all grow like weeds and become super colorful when fall comes anyways.
I will agree with you that white pots are more ideal for growing fly traps or anything else - if cooler roots are better.
I just think as long as there's enough soil around the roots and they don't dry out you will be fine. The problem is shallow pots and roots wrapping around the bottom. If they dry out or get super heated up, they will go into shock.
I have to replace white pots every 6 months. I can reuse the black pots. It's just not practical for me to use the white with this sun here.
My fly traps only get 5-6 hours of direct sunlight: sunrise to 1 to 2pm
I am actually working on shading them for the 2 afternoon hours, at least while it's almost 100°