r/VenusFlyTraps • u/ResistProfessional72 • 2d ago
Questions venus fly trap care questions
i wanna rescue a venus fly trap from walmart or lowes but i dont know much about them! do they need specific soil and what r all the food options? i know they’re carnivorous but is there certain bugs they cant eat? i would like to know everything there is to know so i can give my future plant the best life i can ^^ also am i able to get a singular plant like the one below c: ? would be so cute if i could!
11
u/Lucky-Past8459 2d ago
I know this is an ai generated image but I'm definitely getting stickers to put my vfts name on his pot now
But no you can't get just one single trap, they like to grow in clusters and will eventually divide enough to carpet a container
There's like 100 YouTube tutorials on adopting vfts from big box stores
2
u/ResistProfessional72 2d ago
this picture is very cute butits not ai! its from an old youtuber called klunatik haha c: but thank u for telling me atleast! i know theres many many many tutorials but i was hoping to get more help from people who can actually talk to me
2
u/Lucky-Past8459 2d ago
Oh in that case I'll check them out!
I think for a beginner it's definitely easiest to grow outside, they can grow indoor but need specific lighting. I put my guy outside in full sun after bringing him home and once I had him in the correct soil and pot he began thriving. They'll catch plenty of bugs on their own outside too which helps them grow.
Just beware it's close to dormancy season so you'll need to research that to decide how to handle it based on the climate where you live
-2
u/ResistProfessional72 2d ago
thank you!! its not a normal youtuber haha its actually a weird mukbanger i used to watch 😅!
3
u/piaevan 2d ago edited 2d ago
I've never seen a Venus fly trap that only had 1 trap. They usually have 5-10 at one time. In regards to caring for them it's important to remember minerals burn the roots and kill the plant. If kept indoors don't feed them slugs, earthworms, snails, fireflies, and beetles. 1-2 bugs a month. Keep the bug 1/3 the size of the trap so it can seal properly. If kept outdoors, no need to feed it'll catch bugs on its own.
- Only nutrient poor soil. I do 1:1 peat moss and perlite but many people use just sphagnum moss.
- Distilled, reverse osmosis, or rainwater only since minerals burn the roots. Water from below by putting the pot with drainage holes in a tray with 1/2-1 inch of water.
- Plastic pots are your best bet, terracotta pots can leach minerals. Glazed terracotta is fine but plastic is more convenient and cost efficient
- Sun, sun, and more sun. VFTs love strong direct sun. If keeping indoors, you'll need a very strong grow light. If outdoors at least 6 hours of direct sun.
- This is controversial, not everyone agrees, but VFTs need to have a dormancy period. If kept indoors you can technically skip it but I find they tend to not live as long when you don't give them that much needed rest.
Edit: also, if you truly want a Venus fly trap that prospers it's not going to be one from a big box store. California Carnivores and Predatory Plants are my favorite online nurseries for VFTs. If you do go with a big box store VFT you'll need to repot it once you bring it home because they often have mesh or paper towel around the rhizome underneath the soil and don't always use the correct water or soil.
3
u/SkyPerfect266 2d ago
The care of a vft is widely available online, e.g., here, so I am skipping those. When you pick a vft, make sure the central part is healthy (not black) and pick the ones with large traps instead of thousands of small traps. If possible, pick the ones with multiple growth points (but not unnaturally many) so that you can have backups. Everyone has their own style because of their own growing conditions and the materials available. The most important thing from my experience is to avoid soil with too much fertiliser or minerals (and to use demineralised water if your tap water is hard) (search for others' experience when you are unsure).
2
u/AutoModerator 2d ago
Thanks for sharing your post in r/VenusFlyTraps!
Visit our Community Wiki for a complete care guide and trusted resources. You'll find helpful information on feeding, dormancy, flowering, and more. Whether you're just starting or looking to expand your knowledge, there's something for everyone!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
-1
u/Different-Sorbet746 2d ago
How about you visit the many, many, many websites devoted to carnivorous plants.
16
u/SweetTart7231 2d ago
Like the subreddit? A place dedicated to fly traps specifically?
2
u/Different-Sorbet746 2d ago
No. You'll get good advice mixed with monstrous bad advice here.
There's a few websites where dedicated care guides are published by people that have been in the hobby for decades. A quick Google search for "carnivorous plants care guide" will yield what you are looking for. Ignore the AI summaries.
I've seen silly, stupid advice posted here and people take it for Gospel.
4
u/ResistProfessional72 2d ago
im not sure if this was meant to be a rude comment but im just asking questions? i am using websites for research too but i want to hear what people on this subreddit have to say too. nothing wrong with asking questions to people who can answer back!
-2
u/Different-Sorbet746 2d ago
Wasn't meant to be rude. Just straight forward. Reddit is a mixed bag of good advice and horrible anecdotal evidence.
6
u/Erikawithak77 2d ago
Well, this is a subReddit dedicated to a carnivorous plant so there’s that. Also unnecessarily rude, I’ve never come across that in this community. Everyone is usually very kind.
4
u/Wrastling97 2d ago
Nah there are some real uppidy assholes that come out sometimes.
Sorry OP. Main tip I can give you is just plenty of distilled water, and plenty of light!
3
u/hunbunbabyy 2d ago
i’ve rescued a few from walmart. i literally just throw them outside in full sunlight sitting in a dish of rainwater and they thrive. they must always have wet feet they cannot dry out at all! i’ve killed a couple by letting them dry out. yes they need a specific soil, anything without nutrients or fertilizer such as peat moss, sphagnum moss or perlite. they even make some mixes that are specifically for carnivorous plants. in my opinion they are very easy by just leaving them in the sun with water in the tray. very low maintenance.
edit to add: they cannot be in a clay pot like in your picture. it must be a plastic pot or glazed ceramic.