FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I went to Lowes 2 days ago and bought 2 different VFT. I bought a 6 in pot and put both of them in it. The soil is 50/50 Pete moss and perlite. I damped it to mix and then poked 2 holes to put each in. I leave them outside during the day and inside during the night. I was just wondering after 2 days of having them, do they look healthy? I have distilled water and want to water them about every other 5 days.

It is hard to tell after just two days. I will say that it looks like they are planted too deeply. The white part of the rhizome should be the only part that is below the surface. Also, I want to be sure that you didn't use Miracle-Gro brand. That contains fertilizer and will kill the plants.

Didn't use miracle brand but should I go ahead and lift them little so they aren't so deep?

Mikegiuliano07 wrote:Didn't use miracle brand but should I go ahead and lift them little so they aren't so deep?

Yes. The new growth shouldn't have to push its way out. As Panman said, the white rhizome should be just a little under the soil.

How cold does it get at night? Flytraps can handle a little under freezing, as long as they don't freeze into a solid block.

Other than that, it looks okay. It isn't exactly healthy, but it isn't unhealthy. A couple months of good care and it should perk up nicely.

Good luck!

Hi
it isn't a good idea to move them from inside to outside frequently, they need to have a cool dormancy period and acclimate to their growing conditions. How hot is it in your house or how cold outside?
Also, it looks like it's in a terracotta pot, these can leach minerals into the soil which isn't good for the plant, plastic is better if you have one.
Cheers
Seve

I missed the terracotta pot. Regardless of what else you do, that will ultimately kill it.

Panman wrote: ↑Fri Jan 29, 2021 12:12 pm I missed the terracotta pot. Regardless of what else you do, that will ultimately kill it.

Can I put it in a plastic pot now? Also should I just leave it outside 24/7. It gets to the 20s at night

Benny wrote: ↑Fri Jan 29, 2021 5:31 am

Mikegiuliano07 wrote:Didn't use miracle brand but should I go ahead and lift them little so they aren't so deep?

Yes. The new growth shouldn't have to push its way out. As Panman said, the white rhizome should be just a little under the soil.

How cold does it get at night? Flytraps can handle a little under freezing, as long as they don't freeze into a solid block.

Other than that, it looks okay. It isn't exactly healthy, but it isn't unhealthy. A couple months of good care and it should perk up nicely.

Good luck!

It gets to the low 20s but I guess I'll leave it outside perm and check on the soil and use distilled water if it dries up. I'll change it to a plastic pot too.

Do not let the soil dry up. The soil should always be damp. If it dries the plant dies.

Look for another place to keep it for the winter, perhaps an unheated garage that stays cool to cold, but doesn't cycle through the freeze/thaw. That will kill it just as quickly.
In the wild, the roots are insulated by the soil and groundwater, so they don't freeze/thaw. In a pot, outside, it will freeze at night, thaw during the day, freeze again, and so on. It'll be dead in a week.
Once it warms back up and stays above freezing, put it outside to where it gets good, direct morning sunlight until about 11 or 12, then indirect, shade, or dappled light the rest of the day. You'll have a great looking plant next summer.
They're easy plants to take care of, they just require a few more steps than a normal plant.