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Feeding baby venus fly trap


When Do Venus Fly Traps Start Eating?- Feed Baby Venus Flytrap – Venus Flytrap World

Adult Venus flytraps benefit greatly from capturing prey. But, when Venus flytraps are very young, they seem too small to catch bugs. As an owner, you must decide when is the right time to start to feed it.

Baby Venus flytraps have fully functional traps; however, due to their size, it is unlikely they will capture prey. Venus flytrap owners can start feeding their Venus flytrap when the plant develops traps, but feeding young plants is a challenge and can cause leaf loss and stress.

As an owner, you might be excited and ready to feed your Venus flytrap. But, before getting started, you must learn some necessary information. This article will give you tips on how to feed baby or young Venus flytraps.

When Do Venus Fly Traps Start Eating?

Young or baby Venus flytraps, under one-year-old, are very tiny. During the first year, the plant looks exactly like an adult plant, but small. It has defined traps that function. They can open and close upon appropriate stimuli.

Venus flytraps can start eating at a very young age. When they are tiny, they are only capable of eating tiny insects such as ants or gnats. Still, they can capture prey.

Here is a picture of one of my baby Venus flytrap. It is still under a year old. The leaves are open, but only a few mm in length.

The growth of each plant varies in different environments, but usually, as the plant reaches two years of age, the traps will reach a substantial size. At that point, the traps will be about half an inch in length. The leaves will continue to grow in the next months until they reach a size of one inch.

One inch is a mature trap size for Venus flytraps. Venus flytraps can continue to grow horizontally and propagate, but the size of their traps rarely exceeds one inch in length.

Venus flytraps start eating as soon as their traps are large enough to capture prey. And strong enough to hold them captive until the digestion process begins. Venus flytraps must enclose prey completely inside their traps to consume it.

The bug in the picture seems a little too large for the plant. It will most likely escape.

Should You Feed Young Venus Flytrap?

It is a challenge to feed young Venus flytraps due to their size. In the later sections, you will learn how to feed baby Venus flytraps. But, for now, you must first make an assessment. In many cases, it does not make sense to feed a Venus flytrap.

In the wild, Venus flytraps grow in nutrition-less environments. With little or no access to minerals from the ground. As a result, Venus flytraps have developed a bug catching mechanism. They consume bugs to supplement their diet. But, in reality, their food comes from another process: photosynthesis. Like other plants, Venus flytraps produce their own food.

Venus flytraps can live all their life without ever capturing a bug. The nutrients they extract from prey are beneficial but not necessary.

No Venus flytrap, regardless of its age, “needs” bugs to be healthy. It is not recommended to manually feed young Venus flytraps when their traps are smaller than half an inch, as they are delicate and difficult to feed. Instead, the plant can be placed outdoors, with plenty of access to live feed. If the plant is big enough and strong enough to capture prey, it will feed itself.

It is possible to feed a baby or young Venus flytrap, but it is a challenge. The next sections will give you the advice to avoid making crucial mistakes and harming your plant. But be aware that are two alternatives besides manual feeding:

  • Let the plant capture its own prey outdoors
  • Provide appropriate care to boost the plant’s growth without feeding.`

Proper Care vs Feeding

Venus flytraps benefit from sporadic feeding. A single bug every few weeks can substantially promote the plant’s growth. But, besides feeding, there are other alternatives to stimulate growth.

Proper care ensures the plant is healthy and developing. To promote growth, you must focus on two crucial factors: water and lighting. Photosynthesis is an essential process; boosting it means the plant will be healthy.

Lighting

Venus flytraps require plenty of light. Optimally, they should receive 12 hours of sunlight during the spring. They can live healthy with only 4-6 hours of daylight. But, generally, they prefer sunnier spots. They can be placed under direct or indirect sunlight as long as the plant has exposure to enough sunlight.

Venus flytraps can also live indoors in a sunny window or with access to supplemental lightings, such as plant lights. High output fluorescent lights or LEDs are suitable candidates. These solutions are practical and economical. I use this small plant light (which cost me less than $30) to grow three very healthy Venus flytraps.

Water

Together with lighting, you must also provide appropriate amounts of water. First, Venus flytraps can only be watered with distilled water, reverse osmosis water, or rainwater.

Venus flytraps thrive in humid environments. These plants need to be water constantly. The ground must be moist after watering. Then it can rest for a few days. And when the soil is less humid, water it again.

Besides proper lighting and watering, there are many more care considerations for Venus flytraps. You can download a complete Venus flytrap care sheet from this article: Ultimate Venus Flytrap Care Guide (plus care sheet).

How to Feed a Baby or Young Venus Flytrap

The easiest way to feed a Venus flytrap is to place the plant outdoors. Venus flytraps are effective predators and can capture their own food. Still, in some cases, owners need to take charge of the feeding.

When feeding young or baby Venus flytrap, you have two options: employ live prey or dead prey. Venus flytraps can consume both kinds, but the feeding process varies.

Live Prey Option

If possible, employing live feed is the most effective options.

1.- Obtain suitable prey: You need to employ a live bug that is no larger than 1/3 of the size of the trap you attempt to feed. Wingless fruit flies are a suitable candidate as they are small in size (3/16 inch).

This step is challenging but crucial. Do not attempt to use a large bug. Always select a bug small enough to fit in the trap. If not, the plant will be unable to digest it and end up losing leaves.

2.- Learn about the closing stimuli: Inside each of the lobes in a trap, there are three thin filaments arranged in a triangular pattern. The filaments are commonly called trigger hairs. The leaf closes when something has come in contact with the trigger hairs twice within a short period. The picture below shows the trigger hairs.

Venus fly trap trigger hairs

3.- After obtaining appropriate food and detecting the trigger hairs, you must place the bug inside the trap and ensure it closes. The trap will close if it receives the stimuli.

There two methods I recommend. First, you can place the bug in the middle of the traps right on top of some of the trigger hairs. I grab the bug with some tweezers and drop in gently. Then, The bug on its own is very likely to produce the stimuli.

The second method is my backup. In this case, I use the same type of bug, but now I employ a thin and soft paintbrush. I place the bug inside the traps and immediately use the paintbrush and make a brushing motion inside the lobes. The trap should close due to the movement.

4.- Observe the trap start the digestion process: Now, the bug will try to escape, but its motion inside the trap will only make things worse. The additional stimuli will activate the special glands inside the leaves. The glands secrete enzymes that drown and digest the prey.

Dead Prey Option

Now let’s learn how to employ dead prey. The video below explains in detail how to feed dead bugs to a Venus flytrap. The video features some adult venus flytraps. It should give you a good idea of the process. Still, you must read the steps below the video for some information specific to young flytraps.

1.- Buy dead prey: Most pet stores and some supermarkets carry dead bug feed. You can choose between dried up crickets, mealworms, or bloodworms. All three are suitable options.

2.- Prepare the bugs: Grind the bugs and add a few drops of distilled water until you obtain a paste. Drain excess moisture if necessary.

3.- Select an appropriate portion: Select a small amount of food that can fit entirely inside the trap. The quantity must not be larger than 1/3 of the size of the trap.

4.- Place the food inside the trap: Use a tool or your hands to lay the food inside the lobes gently. For best results, aim for the center of the trap.

5.- Stimulate the trap to close: Stimulate the trigger hairs inside the traps by touching them with your hand, a paintbrush, or a small tool. Make sure the trap closes.

6.- Continue to stimulate, but from the outside: Once the trap is almost closed, you must continue to stimulate to trick the plant into believing it caught live prey. I suggest using your hands for young Venus flytraps. Even soft tools can damage the plant.

Use your fingers to tap the lobes of the plant together in a pulsing motion. Repeat until the trap is fully closed. It usually takes 30 seconds to a minute of stimulation.

After completing step 6, your plant will start digesting the food.

Live Feed vs Dead Feed

I recommend the live prey option because the leaves of young and baby flytraps are delicate and small. Employing the extra pressure on the leaves when using dead feed can damage them and ending up harming the plant. You must be extremely gentle, and even if you are, the plant can suffer. The live feed option is harmless as long as the bug is the right size.

Besides what you learned in this article there are some additional considerations you must follow when feeding a Venus flytrap. This other article gives you a complete overview of the feeding process: How to Feed a Venus flytrap.

How to Feed a Venus Flytrap – A Complete Guide with Pictures – Venus Flytrap World

If you own a Venus flytrap, you might be interested in feeding it. This article goes into great detail on how to feed a Venus flytrap. Start with the basics and become an expert.

When feeding a Venus flytrap, employ bugs that can fit inside a trap and drop the insect in between the trap’s lobes. Venus flytraps are not designed to digest human food; they prefer insects and arachnids. They can consume dead of live prey.

Venus flytraps growing outdoors often capture their own food, whereas Venus flytraps growing indoors often struggle to capture bugs.

The feeding process is not too hard, but you must follow the instructions below to avoid harming your plant. For example, many people often overfeed their Venus flytrap which can cause harm. I feed my Venus flytraps and I have found how often you feed your plant will affect your plant’s health.

As a general rule, feed your Venus flytrap once every two to six weeks. Use a single bug and feed only one trap of the entire plant. The insect must be small enough to fit inside the trap. It can be dead or alive, however, the feeding instructions vary depending on this factor.

Consuming insects is essential to your plant’s health, therefore ensuring they capture bugs is important. Keep on reading to get the full instruction on how to feed your plant.

The Venus Flytrap Feeding Process

In the wild, Venus flytraps live in inferior growing conditions. The soil in the area is very poor. As a result, they are unable to gather critical nutrients from the ground, like Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus.

Venus flytraps produce most of their food through the photosynthesis process. They can live just through photosynthesis thanks to the abundance of light and water. However, their diet is not complete without consuming bugs.

Venus flytraps capture and digest bugs inside of their leaves. Through digestion, they extract essential nutrients to boost their diet. Even though consuming those insects is not required, Venus flytraps with access to feed tend to grow faster and appear to be a lot healthier.

In the outdoors, Venus flytraps can capture their own prey. But indoors or in highly urbanized areas, it can be difficult for the plant to obtain vital nutrients from their victims. In those cases, the owner can choose to feed their plant. In the next section, I will explain the process.

The following list contains a summary of best practices when feeding Venus flytraps:

  • Outdoor Venus flytraps do not require feeding
  • Feed your plant once every 2 to 6 weeks
  • Only feed insects or spiders to your Venus Flytrap
  • The insects must fit inside the trap
  • Do not feed your plant during dormancy
  • Baby Venus flytraps do not need to be fed

How to Feed a Venus Flytrap

The following steps describe how to feed a Venus flytrap. Read them carefully:

1.- Get the food ready: Start by finding a proper insect or spider to feed your plant. It can be dead or alive. There is a whole list of options below. But for now, focus on getting an insect that is small enough to fit inside one of the traps of your plant.

2.- Prepare the prey: Once you have the bug, you must get it ready. Dried-up bugs must be rehydrated. Just add a few drops of water to the dead bug and let it absorb the water. Live bugs do not need any preparation. But, since it is a live bug, you should get comfortable handling it. You can use your hands, or perhaps you are more comfortable employing tweezers or chopsticks.

3.- Locate the trigger hairs: Observe the inside of the trap you are about to feed and locate the three trigger hairs in each lobe. They can be hard to identify. The filaments are very thin, and they are located in the center of the lobe. The picture below shows their location.

When feeding a Venus flytrap, you must stimulate the trigger hairs. Something must touch them twice within a few seconds for them to close.

4.- Insert the bug: Grab the insect and place it inside the lobes of your selected trap. Live insects will make contact with the trigger hairs right away, and the trap will close on them. With dead prey, you must stimulate the trigger hairs yourself. When I employ dead prey, like in the picture below, I follow this effective strategy. I grab the bug with chopsticks and place it inside the traps with a brushing motion. At that time, I make sure I have touched the trigger hairs at least two times. Then, I quickly remove the tool out of the leaf, leaving the bug behind.

5.- Continue to stimulate: Now, the trap should have closed. However, Venus flytraps take their time to close their leaves completely. First, they go into a semi-closed state. Like in the picture below, the lobes have intertwined, but they are not fully closed. During this stage, the plant is sensing for further stimuli to start the digestion process. The presence of stimuli indicates the plant has caught live prey.

When you employ a live insect, the bug will try to fight for its life. But, its attempt to space will only make things harder, as the traps will close entirely after a few seconds.

For dead bugs, you must complete an additional action: stimulate the leaves. Use your fingers or a tool to press the sides of the trap. Press them gentle multiple times. Do it slowly but consistently for about 30 seconds. Then, the trap will close completely. If it does not close, continue to stimulate for another 30 seconds or until the trap is sealed shut.

6.- Monitor the leaf: You made it! You have fed your Venus flytrap. Now, it is time to verify the feeding was successful. Leave your plant alone for the next few days, but occasionally observe the closed trap. The digestion process will take several days or even weeks, so do not expect it to reopen soon. Just keep an eye on the leaf and verify it didn’t wither.

The main reasons why a leaf withers after a feeding are two:

  • The insect was too big for the Venus flytrap, and the plant was unable to process it completely.
  • The leaf was going to die due to maturity, and it was ready to wither.

Keep on reading to learn how often to feed a Venus flytrap and the prey sizing considerations. Then, you will avoid making mistakes when feeding your plant.

Feeding Frequency

Venus flytraps take a long time to digest one single insect. As a result, they do not need to be fed too often. Generally, you want to follow these rules:

  • Only feed one single trap of the whole plant. The nutrients from one bug will be enough for the plant.
  • Allow 2-6 weeks between feedings. It is better to let the plant rest between feedings and do not risk overfeeding the plant.
  • Wait until the plant has thoroughly digested the previous bug before feeding it again.
  • Stop feeding the plant during dormancy

Which Bug Size Is Appropriate for Venus Flytraps?

Choosing the correct prey size is essential for the plant’s health. When bugs are too large for the plant, the Venus flytrap fails to digest it in an acceptable time frame. Then, the plant gives up in the process and lets the trap containing the insect wither. Your plant won’t die from losing a single leaf, but it can weaken. Also, if incorrect feeding practices continue, the plant can lose multiple leaves.

As a general rule, choose insects that can fit inside the trap. Generally, it is best to select bugs that are no larger than 1/3 of the size of the trap. When Venus fly traps are young, it is challenging to find such a small insect (besides ants). But, remember, you can break a bug and feed your plant a small enough piece.

How to Feed Baby Venus Flytraps

It is possible to feed baby Venus flytrap. But it can be very challenging. To feed a baby Venus flytrap, you need a dead bug (preferably freeze-dried), distilled water, a toothpick, and a herb grinder or a mortar and pestle. After you gather all the components, follow the instructions below:

  1. Take the dried up bugs and grind them until they have a powder-like consistency.
  2. Add a few droplets of distilled water to the powder and mix. Continue to add water and mix until the product looks like a paste.
  3. Drain any excess of water
  4. Grab the toothpick (or tweezers) and pick up a tiny little ball of the food you made. You can use your hands to shape the paste-like a small pebble.
  5. Carefully place the food inside the trap of the young Venus flytrap. And make sure to activate the trap.

It is not crucial to feed baby Venus flytraps. But, it is beneficial to provide additional nutrients. You will be able to feed a baby Venus flytrap if it has at least reached a minimum size. The picture below shows a seedling. With that size, it isn’t easy to feed it without harming it. In that case, it is better to wait until it grows larger.

The Best Venus Flytrap Food Options

The previous section mentioned some information about what to feed your Venus flytrap. But, now we can go into more details on the feeding menu.

It is a common misconception that Venus flytraps only consume flies. Venus flytraps consume a variety of insects and spiders. They can even consume larger prey. Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants, they can consume meat. As a result, in the wild, they are sometimes able to capture tiny mice or frogs. But, in your home, you want to stick to an insect-only and spider-only diet. This article I wrote contains a complete list of what to feed and not to feed a Venus flytrap.

Live Prey

Venus flytraps can consume a variety of bugs like, for example, ants, flies, crickets, spiders, beetles, slugs, and caterpillar. They can consume any type of insect as long as they can fit inside the trap, and the plant can capture them.

Even though you can employ almost any type of insect, some are better suited than others. For example, beetles tend to try to fight their way out of the traps, and they can be quite strong. Slugs or caterpillars can attempt to eat their way out of their enclosure. Flying insects are difficult to handle, and they can escape easier.

Outdoors or in an external window sill, Venus flytrap might capture a variety of insects. In that case, let your plant trap its own food. It will know how to select its prey.

When using live feed, I like to buy live crickets. You can capture your own live bugs if you have a garden or go to the part. But buying them is just as easy. Small crickets are not too difficult to handle and they are not strong enough to fight their way out of the traps.

When choosing live prey to feed your Venus flytrap, remember you will have to follow the instructions in the previous section. Suppose you do not feel comfortable holding a bug. Or perhaps, the process is too gruesome for you, then go to the next section and choose to employ dead bugs.

Dead Insects

You can also employ dead bugs to feed your Venus flytrap. From a nutritional standpoint, dead bugs can also provide large amounts of nutrients.

It is possible to employ dead bugs you find in your home, as long as they are fresh, and they do not have any mold. Also, consider buying the feed in a pet store. Here are a few options you can find in almost any pet store: freeze-dried bloodworms, mealworms, and crickets. All three options are highly nutritious and economical. You can buy the whole container for less than $10. And it can serve you to feed multiple plants for many years. I buy dried-up bugs in amazon to feed my carnivorous plants, here is a link to buy: https://amzn.to/34QEnKv.

I do not have a preference between the three, but I try to alternate the food source every once in a while. All of these bugs are dried up and must be rehydrated before using them. You can employ a whole bug and add some droplets of water, or you can grind the bug and then add some water. Grinding the bug ensures the hydration process, but it is not always necessary.

Finally, another pro of using dead bugs is that it is easy to break up. With live feed, you must find small enough insects that fit inside a trap. With dead bugs, you do not have that problem. You can break up the dried up worm of cricket into a tiny piece and feed it to a young plant.

Can You Skip the Flytrap Feeding Process?

You can altogether skip the feeding process, but it is not recommended. Venus flytraps do not need to consume bugs for their survival. However, they develop at a faster and healthier rate when having access to feed. Consuming a single bug every two months can make a huge difference in the plant’s health.

Some people might be intimated by the process of feeding a carnivorous plant, and that is understandable. However, not feeding the plant at all might not be the best solution. Instead, consider placing the plant outdoors. Then, it can capture bugs on its own.

Many Venus flytrap owners are constantly asking about fertilizing their plant. Even though it is possible to fertilize a Venus flytrap successfully, generally, the recommendation is to skip the fertilizer. Venus can’t process the highly concentrated compounds in fertilizers. Also, fertilizing the plant is not necessary, as Venus flytraps can obtain the same benefits from capturing prey.

When NOT to Feed a Venus Flytrap

It is not always appropriate to feed a Venus flytrap. In some cases, it is more beneficial to wait before you feed the plant. Here are some concrete examples:

  • Dormancy: In the winter, Venus flytraps go dormant. Dormancy is a yearly period of rest and recovery. During dormancy, it is not necessary to feed the plants.
  • Young age: When Venus flytraps are tiny seedlings or young Venus flytraps, it is a challenge to feed them. You can attempt to do it. But do not force it on small plants. They might suffer as their leaves are not fully developed. Instead, focus on providing adequate lighting and a humid environment.
  • Not enough research: Do not attempt to feed a Venus flytrap if you haven’t read the instructions in this article or other guide. Without some basic knowledge, like the appropriate food portions and options, you can end up harming the plant.
  • Adjusting to a new environment: Venus flytraps, like any other plant, take some time to adapt to a new environment. Avoid feeding your plant when it has been exposed to some changes. For example, wait a few weeks before feeding a plant that has just been repotted or has just been shipped to a new location.
  • Recovering stage: Venus flytraps are prone to pests, fungus, root rot, and other related issues. Avoid feeding a Venus flytrap when it is sick or in the recovery stage. Do not risk losing leaves or applying unwanted stress to a plant in a delicate state.

Venus Flytrap Care Considerations: Light vs Food

Venus flytraps require good lighting and access, among other things, to stay healthy. But what is more important? The lighting requirement is the most critical for Venus flytrap. These plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight to stay healthy.

The light exposure requirement is more critical due to photosynthesis. It is a crucial process that provides the vast majority of substance for the plant. Still, consuming bugs provides a nutrient boost.

More Food vs More Light Signal

Have you ever wondered if your plant is receiving enough light or enough food? It is normal to doubt your setup. Venus flytraps have unique requirements.

Luckily, Venus flytrapS gives us meaningful signals about their health. Usually, Venus flytraps exhibit bright red and burgundy colors. The burgundy is inside the traps, and the rest is green. When a Venus flytrap is not receiving enough light, the interior of the lobes loses the red coloring. The lobes turn to be almost only green. The reason is simple. The plant is not receiving enough light; therefore, it must focus solely on photosynthesis.

The red coloring will reappear when the plant is exposed to proper lighting. Then, the new burgundy interior will help attract victims to consume.

Before you get started feeding your plant, confirm your whole setup is proper. Like you just learned, adequate lighting is a necessary element for the plant’s wellbeing. Also, here is a link to a very detailed article on Venus flytrap care. You can use it as a checklist to confirm your plant has all it needs.

Related Questions

What do indoor Venus fly traps eat?

Indoor Venus flytraps will occasionally catch a bug. But it all depends on the availability of insects rooming around. If no bugs are available, the plant won’t have access to feed. In that case, the owner can feed the plant directly.

Can Venus flytrap consume human food?

Venus flytraps are not designed to consume human food. They are small plants that have evolved to capture small insects and spiders. Also, feeding human food to a Venus flytrap can harm it. Do not feed fruit, candy, meat, chicken, or any human food to your plant. The traps might close when you insert the food in them, but the plant won’t be capable of digesting it. The leaf will end up withering, and the food inside of it will rot.

Can Venus flytraps eat meat?

Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants. They can consume meat. Some carnivorous plant growers feed their large plants with small rodents or frogs. Big enough plants can capture them and consume them. However, it is only possible with tiny prey.

How does a Venus flytrap eat?

Some believe Venus flytraps chew their prey due to caricature adaptations of these plants. But, Venus flytraps use a unique method to consume their prey. Once a bug is trapped inside the leaf of a Venus flytrap. The plant will start producing enzymes inside the enclosure. The bugs will then stop fighting and drown in the digestive fluid. Then, the enzymes will continue to dissolve the body while the plant absorbs the nutrients. The Venus flytrap digests its prey by using an external “stomach” located in its leaves. Amazing!

How do Venus flytrap eat in a terrariums?

Venus flytraps do not have access to feed in close a close terrarium. That is one of the reasons why many people are discouraged about placing Venus flytraps in terrariums. However, there is a simple solution. Do not plant Venus flytraps in a closed terrarium. Instead, grow them in semi-close enclosures or greenhouse-type terrariums. Venus flytraps benefit from the humidity of terrariums, but they have other requirements besides that one.

Recommended Products for Growing Carnivorous Plants

Finding the best pots, lights, and soil for carnivorous plants is difficult. I have grown carnivorous plants for over 5 years, and these are the products I use. The links will take you to Amazon to view the prices and full specs:

  • Carnivorous Plant Soil
    • Carnivorous plant soil: https://amzn.to/3uVbg39
  • Artificial Lighting
    • Small plant light for 1-2 plants: https://amzn.to/2RsGlxr
    • T8 LED light fixture for multiple plants (6500k Cool White): https://amzn.to/3uWoeh3
  • Pots and Miscellaneus
    • Nursery pots for single plants: https://amzn. to/34Q6byu
  • TDS meter to measure water quality: https://amzn.to/3g8VKLI
  • Dried crickets to feed carnivorous plants: https://amzn.to/34QEnKv

What to feed the Venus flytrap? What does she eat? Selo.Guru - Internet portal about agriculture

Venus flytrap - predator plant . Translated from Latin, Dionaea muscipula translates as a mousetrap.

What to feed - what does it eat, what does it eat?

As mentioned above, the Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant, and it feeds accordingly.

In its natural habitat, not at home, this strange flower prefers to be captured in its red trap flies, molluscs, spiders and various insects . As soon as such living creatures have the imprudence to land on the surface of its trap, it will slam shut, unless the food has time to get out before the closing moment.

Digestion of food by the Venus flytrap sometimes lasts up to 10-14 days . It happens through the secretion of juice - similar to the human gastric. As soon as the trap opens back, it will mean that it is ready to eat again.

Interestingly, Venus is quite capable of going without food for quite a long period - about 1-2 months , but do not forget that it is a flower first of all, and it needs bright daylight every day. Without it, the plant will begin to wither and die.

When growing a flycatcher at home, you should pay special attention to this and allocate the most illuminated place on the windowsill under a pot with a plant .

The process of photosynthesis occurs when being in daylight, the plant releases the oxygen necessary for people. nine0005

Therefore, do not forget: the sun, natural light are needed to maintain the vital activity of a flower no less, if not more, than mosquitoes or flies.

It is also worth remembering that, like any other plant, venus receives useful macro and microelements from the soil, so you need to take care of this. It is customary to plant it in a mixture of peat and perlite - this way it will receive the greatest amount of useful substances for itself.

Feeding the plant with fertilizers is highly undesirable - it is quite is able to kill this unusual flower literally in a matter of days. It is assumed that even at home, she herself must "hunt" to get her food.

Special note: It is desirable that the food you feed the venus flytrap be alive - only in this way the necessary digestive juices are secreted.

You can feed her spiders, mosquitoes, flies, bees .

Small note : the insect must be at least half the size of the trap itself. It is not recommended to give insects with a too hard shell, otherwise the trap will be damaged. nine0005

Attention! It is strictly forbidden to feed the plant with "human" food - for example, cottage cheese, eggs or meat. The protein they contain can kill Venus.

If you did not know that your pet cannot be fed the above food, then wait until the trap opens and carefully remove the food from there. In no case do not try to open it yourself - you risk severe damage to the plant.

In the photos you can see what to feed the Venus flytrap:

How often should I feed?

Many people ask themselves the question - how often should you feed the Venus predator? There are several features of feeding.

  • If your plant is very young or you have just purchased it, do not start feeding immediately after you bring it home. You have to wait until the flower has 3-4 new leaves under current conditions.
  • A plant that has adapted to the conditions is worth feeding 2 times a month and always live insects: antennae react only to movement. Of course, you can try to feed the plant with inanimate food, but after a couple of days you will see that the venus has opened its trap without digesting the food.
  • In winter, the plant "falls asleep" and it is strictly forbidden to feed it . The winter period begins around November and lasts until the beginning of spring, then venus comes to life again. During this period, it can only be watered, but only if the wintering takes place at an air temperature with a plus sign. nine0072

This unusual plant will not leave anyone indifferent, but it, like all living creatures on this Earth, needs care.

With a little effort, the Venus Flytrap will become your kind of pet, which is interesting to watch and very curious to interact with.

Venus flytrap (Dionea): Home care

Dionea (Dionaea muscipula) is a rare and protected plant of the Rosyankov family that uses insects as food. Better known as the Venus flytrap. Scientists explain the Latin name (mousetrap) by an error in describing the species. nine0005

Exot is characterized by original appearance, unnatural behavior for plants and an unusual way of feeding. A bewitching spectacle is the hunt of a predator. This process will not leave anyone indifferent.

The height of an adult dionea is 10–15 centimeters. On a short bulbous stem is a rosette of four to seven leaves. In May-June you can see the peduncle. At its top, an inflorescence shield is formed, consisting of white flowers (their diameter is about a centimeter), emitting a sweet pleasant aroma. Flowering lasts one to two months. nine0005

When Dionea fades, traps grow on the tops of the petioles (they stretch 8–15 centimeters in length). They are formed by two green flaps that can slam shut. In bright light, the inner walls acquire a reddish color. The edges of the flaps are covered with bristles and have triggers. When triggers are irritated, the trap closes. In the cavity there are glands, the function of which is the synthesis of nectar, which serves as a bait for insects. When the victim falls into the trap, the digestive secret begins to be synthesized. Food is digested for one to two weeks, after which the valves open and await the next victim. When the trap has eaten two or three insects, in most cases it dies off. But some traps manage to digest even 7 victims. nine0005

In nature, the predator is home to peat bogs located in the southern part of North America. To make up for the lack of nitrogen, he catches slugs, hunts for insects.

The Venus flytrap is one of the most popular indoor plants. It is grown by flower growers all over the world.

The genus Dionea is monotypic - it contains only one species (Venus flytrap). But breeders have created many varieties.

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Features of care at home

The insectivorous plant is quite capricious. But if he is given the right care, then he will grow and develop magnificently.

Location and lighting

One of the main conditions for maintaining the well-being of dioneas is bright lighting (it should be diffused), natural or artificial. Exotics need direct sunlight in the morning and evening. In poor light, the leaves turn pale and stretch. nine0005

An ideal place for a tropical predator is a window facing west or east. A southern window sill would also be an excellent choice, but at midday you will have to shade the flower.

It is not necessary to turn the dionea often, which has a stressful effect on it.

Florarium plants require additional lighting. A phytolamp is hung above the flower (at a height of about 20 centimeters) to provide 14–16-hour daylight hours.

Temperature

Flycatcher belongs to thermophilic plants. During the growing season, the optimum temperature is 22–30⁰С, it can rise to 35–38 degrees, which does not affect growth and development. But such a temperature should not be maintained all year round; in winter, a decrease to 8 degrees is necessary.

Dionea does not tolerate stagnant air. Therefore, systematic ventilation is mandatory, but without a draft.

In the summer, if possible, take the dione outside. In this case, it will not have to be fed. A predatory plant will provide itself with food by hunting insects and spiders. nine0005

How to water

Exotics need a high level of humidity, which is why it is best to keep them in a florarium.

The soil in the pot must not dry out, which may cause the death of the traps. In order for the flower to receive a sufficient amount of water, it is advisable to put it in a tray filled with water.

If overhead irrigation is used, it is recommended to cover the soil with a layer of sphagnum to prevent soil compaction and provide oxygen to the roots. nine0005

Dionea should be sprayed regularly in summer.

In nature, the insectivorous plant grows on very poor soils, as a result of which the roots have lost the ability to absorb mineral elements. Therefore, exotics are watered with rain, distilled or filtered water, but not tap water.

What to feed the flycatcher

Insects and spiders serve as food for the predator - they make up for the lack of nitrogen for the plant. Victims must be alive (shutters show a reaction to movement) and small (should occupy no more than a third of the internal space of the trap, otherwise the shutters will not be able to close). nine0005

Beetles covered with hard chitin and gnawing insects should not be given to Dionea - they can turn from victims into pests and damage the trap. Feeding meat is strictly contraindicated, which will lead to the appearance of rot and the development of diseases.

Predator only eats organics when it is hungry. Dionea can get sick when overeating. Therefore, they feed her no more than twice a month, each time placing food in different traps.

Note that:

  • large insects take longer to digest than small ones;
  • in old traps, digestive juices are formed more slowly than in young ones;
  • in the cold, the digestion process slows down.

Don't tease the plant by touching the trap. If the valves are often closed without receiving protein food, they will soon lose their efficiency and turn black.

You cannot feed a flower if it is:

  • sick or very weak;
  • has recently had a transplant or experienced stress;
  • grew in poor light or excessively high humidity.

In the last days of September, the Dionea stop giving organic food.

Soil and pot

To prepare the soil substrate, mix quartz sand (perlite can be used instead) with double the amount of peat. Beforehand, sand must be boiled in distillate, and perlite must be kept in water for a week, periodically replacing it. nine0005

If you plant an insectivorous plant in nutrient soil, it will get sick.

The pot should be chosen not wide (no more than 12 centimeters in diameter), but deep - the roots penetrate 20 centimeters deep. It is desirable that it be light - a dark color attracts the sun's rays, which can lead to overheating of the roots.

Despite the fact that the tropical exotic loves heat very much, its roots suffer from overheating.

Planting and transplanting

Transplant the flycatcher as needed, preferably in spring. When transplanting, it is necessary to act very carefully so as not to damage the fragile roots. First, the plant is taken out of the old pot and the soil is shaken out of the roots. If the substrate is firmly attached to the roots, then they are placed in water for a couple of minutes. Then the bush is placed in a pot and covered with soil mixture without ramming. Well watered.

No drain valve required.

After transplanting, the predator should be left for a month in a dark, warm place, providing abundant watering. Such conditions will help the plant to adapt.

Flowering

Tropical beauty is very small, her height is 10-15 centimeters, and the peduncle grows up to half a meter in height. Therefore, flowering takes a lot of energy from a plant (especially a young one) and slows down the formation of traps, which is why it is recommended to cut the flower stalks immediately after they appear. If seeds are needed, then the buds are left. nine0005

Fertilizers

The predator does not need traditional fertilizers, it receives all the elements it needs for life from the body of the insect.

Venus flytrap in winter

In autumn, dionea stops producing leaves and prepares for “sleep”. To help the plant, it is removed from the pan and transferred to a darkened and fairly cool (8-10 degrees Celsius) room. The flycatcher can overwinter on an insulated loggia or in the basement. You can place it in the lower section of the refrigerator. nine0005

Do not throw away Dionea if the leaves turn brown and fall off in autumn - this is how it hibernates. In spring, the plant will restore its decorative appearance.

In winter, the predator does not need light or food. Therefore, feeding is stopped, watering is minimized - stagnant water will cause rotting of the roots.

With the advent of the first spring days, the dionea is returned to its original place and all traps are removed from it. Gradually resume the previous care. nine0005

Reproduction

An insectivorous plant is propagated in several ways: by leaf cuttings, division of the bush (separation of children), seeds, peduncle.

Cuttings

Cut a leaf from the stem and plant it in a soil mixture obtained from quartz sand and peat, taken in equal proportions (peat alone can be used), at a slight slope. The cut site is pre-treated with Kornevin.

Create a mini-greenhouse for the cutting by covering it with a jar or cellophane. They provide it with bright diffused light, warmth and high humidity. After two or three months, root shoots will begin to appear at the base of the leaf, which indicates its rooting. nine0005

It is recommended to root several cuttings, as they do not take root well due to susceptibility to fungal diseases.

By separating baby bulbs

This method is most often used by flower growers due to its simplicity, speed and success.

Dividing is desirable when transplanting. The bush is taken out of the pot, the soil is removed from the roots and the daughter sockets are separated (there are usually a lot of them) using a sharp sterilized knife. Slices are sprinkled with crushed coal. Young bushes are seated and placed in a dark place. nine0005

Do not divide the bush often, because of which it becomes weaker. Dionea loves to grow up in close quarters with her children.

Seeds

This propagation method is rather complicated and gives unpredictable results. Seedlings grow from seeds, which in most cases are unlike the parent plant, which is of particular interest to flower growers.

If you want to grow exotic from seeds, you must wait for flowering and pollinate the flowers with a cotton swab. The procedure is repeated for several days. A month later, a box filled with seeds will form at the site of the inflorescence. nine0005

Seeds should be sown immediately upon receipt. They remain viable for no more than 3 months.

Stratification will increase germination. The seeds are wrapped in moss and placed in a plastic bag, which is well closed. Placed for 40-45 days in the refrigerator.

A small container is filled with soil substrate, which is prepared from sphagnum and quartz sand (2:1 ratio). Seeds are treated with Topaz, following the instructions, and scattered over the surface without deepening into the soil. Moisturize with soft water. nine0005

Make a mini-greenhouse and place it in a well-lit area. You can turn on artificial lighting at 12–14. The temperature should be maintained at 24–30⁰С, air humidity should be as high as possible, and the soil should be slightly moist (drying and stagnant water are detrimental to seedlings).

Seedlings will appear in 3-4 weeks. From this time, they begin to gradually accustom them to fresh air. First, the greenhouse is opened for a few minutes, the duration of ventilation is increased daily. A month later, the lid is no longer closed. nine0005

After a crescent, the grown plants dive into small (up to 10 cm in diameter) pots. Now you should be patient: the kids will become adults only after 5 years.

Peduncle

When the peduncle grows to 4-5 centimeters, it is cut off and deepened to a centimeter depth in moistened peat. Cover with a jar to create greenhouse conditions. If you constantly moisten the soil and ventilate the greenhouse, then in 1.5–2 months a green growth will appear. A month later, the "youth" is moved to separate flowerpots. nine0005

Do not throw away the peduncle when dry. You should wait, and soon the kids will appear.

Diseases and pests

Although it seems paradoxical, insects sometimes attack the predator: aphids settle in the traps (as a result they become deformed), and the mealybug sucks out the juices.

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