FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

My VFT is dormant. Before going dormant it trapped a couple of bugs and now the traps are turning black. Should those black traps containing bugs be snipped and removed?

As leaves die the plant reabsorbs a good amount of the nutrients and water in those dying leaves, so cutting them off before they have completely died may do more harm than good unless your only concern is asthetics. Seeing as the plant is dormant anyway it probably doesn't look exactly appealing so I would let it be until the new growing season when it explodes with new growth.

Patrick

So should I snip them off if the entire stem turns black, or just let it go till spring regardless of the bugs in the traps?

Let it go 'til spring. It's not a problem.

Wait till spring to snip?

KDH wrote:Wait till spring to snip?

I would. There is no need to fuss a lot with these plants.

Once they turn completely black you can cut them off if you wish, leaving them be will not do any harm to the plant though.

Patrick