FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Made you look!!! Before you panic and run screaming...I have read some information on a reputable carnivorous plant nursery's website regarding application of fertiliser to venus fly traps which states that fish emulsion type fertilisers can be safely used at 1/4 of the recommended strength, but it does not indicate how to apply, what time of year or frequency of application.

Based on the fact that most fertilisers have different dilution rates for different kinds of plants, we would be applying 1/4 strength of the minimum dosage listed on the label.

I'm guessing that a foliar spray would probably be the most efficient means of application as it should be readily absorbed by the leaves and not leave fertiliser residue in the soil.
The growing season (early spring to late summer) would be the best time to apply as the plant is actively growing and can make best use of the nutrients.
Application of fertiliser once a month?

Has anyone tried using fertiliser (in particular, fish emulsion) on VFT's during the growing season?

I've never tried it, but I'd be very interested in hearing your results if you do. Logically, it makes sense that you could fertilize them if you did it properly. As you've already stated, a foliar spray seems to be the way to go given that their roots burn and are very sensitive to impurities in the soil. Also, the fact that they digest insects through their leaves fits into the logic of fertilizing the leaves.

I have heard of people using cotton swabs to apply fertilizer to them so that none of the fertilizer gets into the soil. That may be a good technique, but obviously if you have a lot of plants it will be very time consuming.

I'd say you should pick a plant or two that you wouldn't mind losing if the fertilizer kills them and give it a go!

Hi linton,

Congratulations on attempting to use fertilizer, you're a brave man!

With the exception of this article by Dr. Samuel Vergio Miensinompe,
http://www.strato.net/~crvny/sa03005.html
I've never heard of a scenario where Dionaea were successfully fertilized.
That's not to say it can't be done but I find it strange that people who have written books on Dionaea Like Dr. Barrry Rice,Tony Camilleri and Adrian Slack have never mentioned using fertilizer for Dionaea.

I tend to agree with Matt, use a plant that you can afford to lose and make sure none of the fertilizer touches the growing medium. I'm very excited to see how it turns out, please keep us posted!

Giovanni

If you are supposed to put it on the leaf, keep it to one. What is fish elmusion?

Hi Lily,

Fish emulsion is a fertilizer emulsion produced from the fluid remains of fish processed for fish oil and the fish meal industrially. Since fish emulsion is naturally derived, it is considered appropriate for use in organic horticulture. Thus, you can use it as fertilizer.

I hope this help!


Giovanni

Thanks Giovanni. Some of these words are new to me. I mean, how often do I hear the word emulison?

hi linton,
i use fish emulsion for all my neps and helis. i swear by the stuff its really good. i dont worry about mesering any dosages, i just put how much in a spray bottle i think is neccesary. another rule is 10% to the container you use.

Thanks Mitch, you should also try Seasol - I've had good results from using it too.

no problem.
i heard from john yates that neps like it if you add seasol and fish emilsion together and then dilute both in water in the same container at the same time.
im going to give this a try this sunday via folige spray.

After a few weeks let us know what the results are. Maybe post some before & after photos?

yer that sounds like a great idea! i will get started on it tommorow!

The only thing I don't like about foliar spraying is that the overspray reaching the growing medium surface can produce a flush of algae growth. Instead, I've been trying to think of ways to give plants kelp extract and fish emulsion (mixed together usually) in other ways.

For example, I would mix up a solution of fish emulsion and kelp extract, allow a tiny bit of cellulose sponge to soak some up, then "feed" that bit of sponge to a trap of a Venus Flytrap, with the notion that the trap is the part of the plant most adapted to extracting nutrients.

However, my experiments have been sporadic and have no conclusive results yet.

Perhaps using an eye dropper to apply the same solution to the trap surface might work? I'm not sure if the trap will still absorb the fluid if it is not triggered??

maybe the fertiliser will get washed away when its releases its own digestive fluid?
i never have any algae growth. is this because of the sphagnum top dressing?

Just a thought, maybe try dipping an insect or a meal worm in a weak fertilising solution and feeding it naturally.
Triffid park nursery recommend this dosage."To one litre of water, they use 4 ml of Seasol and 1ml of Powerfeed". Its all about experimenting, I am going to give this a go myself and see what happens.
happy growing.
cheers