Problem with Venus Fly Trap
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 |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
On 01/08/2010 18:48, Slainte wrote:
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 Are you using tap water? They must have soft water or rain. Mine are currently outside enjoying full sunshine. I'll bring them in over Winter. I keep mine in pots with no holes in the bottom; this allows the compost to remain damp / wet all the time. In fact sometimes mine are submerged for a day or two when I get careless with the watering can! I've had them several years now though, so must be doing something right. Some older leaves will go black and die off, this is normal. However, there should be new young green ones to replace them. At some time or other you may find they put out flower spikes too - these aren't very spectacular and can be cut off so the plants can put more energy into growing. -- David in Normandy. To e-mail you must include the password FROG on the subject line, or it will be automatically deleted by a filter and not reach my inbox. |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
"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 Blimey, that takes me back to the 80's when I had one. I would take it out of the water pdq, it sounds like it is drowning. Make sure it gets flies to eat regularly - swat a few and give them into their open mouths (as it were..) Best advice I have. Tina |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
On 01/08/2010 19:41, Christina Websell wrote:
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 Blimey, that takes me back to the 80's when I had one. I would take it out of the water pdq, it sounds like it is drowning. Make sure it gets flies to eat regularly - swat a few and give them into their open mouths (as it were..) Best advice I have. Tina You can't drown one in 5mm of water. They are a bog plant and in nature often have to cope with being submerged for a while. It is much more likely to be suffering from a lack of rain/soft water. -- David in Normandy. To e-mail you must include the password FROG on the subject line, or it will be automatically deleted by a filter and not reach my inbox. |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
Christina Websell wrote:
Blimey, that takes me back to the 80's when I had one. Having a revival. Our co-op had them recently! I would take it out of the water pdq, it sounds like it is drowning. Unlikely to drown a swamp plant! |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
"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 - and catch some flier - :)) Thanks very much, Mo |
Quote:
Remember the fly needs to trigger the hairs in the trap in order for the trap to close. I can't see dumping a dead fly on a trap being very good for the plant. It may just be that you were unlucky with your choice of plant - new plants are as likely to die because of conditions before you bought them as they are to die because of what you've done since. |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 08:11:39 +0100, "Slainte"
wrote: "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 - and catch some flier - bottled costs money. Put a container outside and wait. (About 10 minutes if the forecast is anything to go on!) :)) Thanks very much, Mo -- http://www.bra-and-pants.com http://www.holidayunder100.co.uk |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
"mogga" wrote in message ... On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 08:11:39 +0100, "Slainte" wrote: "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 - and catch some flier - bottled costs money. Put a container outside and wait. (About 10 minutes if the forecast is anything to go on!) :)) Thanks very much, Mo Aldready done... :) |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
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Problem with Venus Fly Trap
On Mon, 2 Aug 2010 10:51:01 +0000, kay
wrote: Remember the fly needs to trigger the hairs in the trap in order for the trap to close. I can't see dumping a dead fly on a trap being very good for the plant. The fly just needs to be moved a bit. I have uses a bit of raw meat before now! Steve -- Neural Planner Software Ltd www.NPSL1.com EasyNN-plus. Neural Networks plus. www.easynn.com SwingNN. Forecast with Neural Networks. www.swingnn.com JustNN. Just Neural Networks. www.justnn.com |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
wrote in message ... Christina Websell wrote: Blimey, that takes me back to the 80's when I had one. Having a revival. Our co-op had them recently! I would take it out of the water pdq, it sounds like it is drowning. Unlikely to drown a swamp plant! Shows what I know about them! I did feed mine with swatted houseflies, tried, but obviously not good enough. They are fascinating plants. Tina |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
"kay" wrote in message ... Slainte;896212 Wrote: I'm off now to change the water - bottled this time - and catch some flier - :)) Check the analysis of the bottled water. It'd be silly to exchange hard bottled water for soft tap water. If you're worried about chlorine etc, leave the tap water to stand for a day before using it. Remember the fly needs to trigger the hairs in the trap in order for the trap to close. I can't see dumping a dead fly on a trap being very good for the plant. What else to do then unless you have a mega amount of flies circulating around your house that are likely to commit suicide in the Venus fly trap? You have this carnivorous plant, needs feeding on flies. You have no fly volunteers. What then? I really want to learn, I am not being sarcastic. Tina |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
Christina Websell wrote:
wrote in message ... Slainte;896212 Wrote: I'm off now to change the water - bottled this time - and catch some flier - :)) Check the analysis of the bottled water. It'd be silly to exchange hard bottled water for soft tap water. If you're worried about chlorine etc, leave the tap water to stand for a day before using it. Remember the fly needs to trigger the hairs in the trap in order for the trap to close. I can't see dumping a dead fly on a trap being very good for the plant. What else to do then unless you have a mega amount of flies circulating around your house that are likely to commit suicide in the Venus fly trap? You have this carnivorous plant, needs feeding on flies. You have no fly volunteers. What then? I really want to learn, I am not being sarcastic. Just plonk the dead fly in the trap and then trigger two or three of the hairs with something quite gentle ... |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
Christina Websell wrote:
I would take it out of the water pdq, it sounds like it is drowning. Unlikely to drown a swamp plant! Shows what I know about them! I did feed mine with swatted houseflies, tried, but obviously not good enough. They are fascinating plants. I've never been a fan. I plant-sat my bf(atthetime)'s and left it in the sun at my parents' house, and it frazzled. :-( |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
Christina Websell wrote:
What else to do then unless you have a mega amount of flies circulating around your house that are likely to commit suicide in the Venus fly trap? You have this carnivorous plant, needs feeding on flies. You have no fly volunteers. What then? I really want to learn, I am not being sarcastic. Actually, a fly trap would probably be overstuffed in our house. There is certainly no shortage of fruit flies or houseplant flies around here, unfortunately. (Nick uses fly paper, but it seems rather cruel, and it is also very annoying when I end up with it stuck in my hair!) |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
"Christina Websell" wrote in message ... "kay" wrote in message ... Slainte;896212 Wrote: I'm off now to change the water - bottled this time - and catch some flier - :)) Check the analysis of the bottled water. It'd be silly to exchange hard bottled water for soft tap water. If you're worried about chlorine etc, leave the tap water to stand for a day before using it. Remember the fly needs to trigger the hairs in the trap in order for the trap to close. I can't see dumping a dead fly on a trap being very good for the plant. What else to do then unless you have a mega amount of flies circulating around your house that are likely to commit suicide in the Venus fly trap? You have this carnivorous plant, needs feeding on flies. You have no fly volunteers. What then? I really want to learn, I am not being sarcastic. Is that a serious point though? Do they actually need the odd fly to let them thrive. This one hasn't even had its breakfast yet! But as I say - seriously - do they need feeding? Mo |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
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Problem with Venus Fly Trap
On 03/08/10 21:04, Sunny Bard wrote:
Christina Websell wrote: wrote in message ... Slainte;896212 Wrote: I'm off now to change the water - bottled this time - and catch some flier - :)) Check the analysis of the bottled water. It'd be silly to exchange hard bottled water for soft tap water. If you're worried about chlorine etc, leave the tap water to stand for a day before using it. Remember the fly needs to trigger the hairs in the trap in order for the trap to close. I can't see dumping a dead fly on a trap being very good for the plant. What else to do then unless you have a mega amount of flies circulating around your house that are likely to commit suicide in the Venus fly trap? You have this carnivorous plant, needs feeding on flies. You have no fly volunteers. What then? I really want to learn, I am not being sarcastic. Just plonk the dead fly in the trap and then trigger two or three of the hairs with something quite gentle ... IME if the fly died of an overdose of fly spray, the plant dies too. |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
On Sun, 1 Aug 2010 17:48:52 +0100, "Slainte"
wrote: 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 I killed the first one I had. I think it was the small piece of a pork chop I gave it :-) To those who have grown them successfully - how big do the traps actually get? |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
In article , kay.6cf7786
@gardenbanter.co.uk says... I did not write the stuff you attribute to me. sorry Kay Janet |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
For anybody who is in Leiden in the next few days, there is an exhibition of flesh eating plants in the Hortus Botanicus from 6-15 August http://www.hortusleiden.nl/index.php...etende_planten There is a web cam showing life size flesh eaters. ATM it doesn't seem to be working. Maybe it will be tomorrow. http://www.hortusleiden.nl/ |
Problem with Venus Fly Trap
On 05/08/10 10:15, Martin wrote:
For anybody who is in Leiden in the next few days, there is an exhibition of flesh eating plants in the Hortus Botanicus from 6-15 August http://www.hortusleiden.nl/index.php...etende_planten There is a web cam showing life size flesh eaters. ATM it doesn't seem to be working. Maybe it will be tomorrow. http://www.hortusleiden.nl/ Video of the exhibition in 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9ncGMa2ATE |
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