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Janet · 02-08-2010, 12:39 PM posted to uk.rec.gardening

In article ,
says...

"Slainte" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I have a Venus fly trap (Dionaea Muscipula) plant - bought in Homebase. I
have been following the instructions on the label but it isn't thriving.
So far since I bought it one month ago I have had to remove a number of
leaves/shoots as they have turned black and apparently died. The
instructions say to keep it standing in approx 5mm of water and I have
been doing this. I have also tried it in bright sunlight and in the shade
but it still seems to be suffering.

I would dearly like to know why and what I can do to resolve the
situation.

Many thanks,

Mo

Thanks to all who responded. Well I've kept it pretty wet but have been
using tap water. Here in north Scotland - where the water is fairly soft,
it will no doubt have chlorine added, so perhaps that's it. The poor think
hasn't had any flies for lunch yet though.

I'm off now to change the water - bottled this time -

Bottled spring waters contain all kinds of minerals that might not be
compatible with a plant that lives in acid bogs. You really, really need
rainwater; what you can find in some forgotten bucket/saucer in the
garden would do.

Janet