Is there any correlation between VFT cultivar's trap size and lifespan?

Is there any correlation between VFT cultivar's trap size and lifespan?#377829

By mari -  Sun Apr 11, 2021 7:53 pm
Posts:  7
Joined:  Sat Apr 03, 2021 6:15 pm

- Sun Apr 11, 2021 7:53 pm #377829

Hi all,

Curious if some species of venus flytrap tend to live longer than others and what factors are known to affect lifespan.

Re: Is there any correlation between VFT cultivar's trap size and lifespan?#379937

By Big-Jack -  Tue May 04, 2021 4:41 pm
Posts:  357
Joined:  Sun Jun 12, 2016 7:46 pm

- Tue May 04, 2021 4:41 pm #379937

Flytraps don't really die of old age, once mature the old part of the underground rhizome continuously dies or divides off the mother plant while it adds a fresh new section for the current crown growth. That is why you can center the mother plant in the spring and by autumn it will have "walked" off to the side of the pot leaving behind new baby divisions along the way.

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Re: Is there any correlation between VFT cultivar's trap size and lifespan?#379940

By Panman -  Tue May 04, 2021 5:10 pm
Location:  Atlanta, GA USA Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  6397
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- Tue May 04, 2021 5:10 pm #379940

Everything @Big-Jack said is true. I would also add that some cultivars/types of flytraps are more hardy than others. For example, red plants are typically less robust than green ones. Some are more temperamental when it comes to conditions such as light, water, etc. Others may be more cold tolerant or heat tolerant. Figuring this out, however, isn't and easy task. I know that on the FlytrapStore website, @Matt does not particularly robust varieties when it is warranted.

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Re: Is there any correlation between VFT cultivar's trap size and lifespan?#379946

By Nepenthes0260 -  Tue May 04, 2021 8:17 pm
Location:  Deer Park, Washington state, USA
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- Tue May 04, 2021 8:17 pm #379946

Technically speaking, since Dionaea have terminal monocarpic scapes, after they flower the main growth point dies and is replaced by an axillary node on the stem (rhizome), like sarrs, helis, neps, and cephs.

But an individual Dionaea plant doesn't really have a set lifespan, and if cared for well, it will keep dividing and growing year after year. Some cultivars are more vigorous than others. Nepenthes x Dyeriana is nearly 200 years old, and the genetics are kept alive by asexual propagation (cloning).

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Re: Is there any correlation between VFT cultivar's trap size and lifespan?#379963

By Panman -  Tue May 04, 2021 10:30 pm
Location:  Atlanta, GA USA Zone 8a/8b
Posts:  6397
Joined:  Wed Mar 04, 2020 8:41 pm

- Tue May 04, 2021 10:30 pm #379963

Interesting about the scapes. Does the main growth point die regardless of whether the scape is left to mature or not? In other words, if you cut it, will the plant still put off a new division?

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