Like Carvivorous Plants? LOOK HERE!

[Subrosa]

Hi everybody! First let me thank Orchidboard in general, and RosieC and WhiteRabbit in particular for help in getting this ok'd. This is truly my favorite forum from the standpoint of how it operates and the general caliber of the membership! Now to business!
I'm a member of another forum dedicated to carnivorous plants, Terraforums Terra Forums Carnivorous Plant Discussions. The forum is currently hosting an auction to benefit The North American Sarracenia Conservancy, an organization dedicated to the preservation of native North American carnivorous plants. The proceeds go to benefit the Conservancy which is a registered non-profit organization. The auctions however are not limited to NA natives, and MANY tropicals are offered as well as some non plant items. Joining the board is free, but not required to bid or offer donations for the auction. Just check out the rules in the dedicated auction forum. It's a great chance to meet some great people, help a great cause and get some plants you'd have difficulty finding elsewhere. And often at bargain prices! Thanks again to the Orchidboard, and to the membership in general!

[MattWoelfsen]

The irony, I was at Lowe's on Sunday to pick up some items and wandered over to the green house area and saw by the orchids these boxes of plastic with a Venus flytrap plant inside. They looked very healthy. The note on the box stated that these plants were good companion plants for orchids, that they will attract gnats and other flying insects. So I bought one, put it in amongst my orchids. And then wondered what now? I joined Terra Forums, so I can start exploring this interesting plant. Thanks Subrosa.

[Subrosa]

Glad you joined Matt! I can save you a little time, VFT's are dirt easy if you follow 3 simple rules: #1 Keep them moist but not soggy. #2 More light is ALWAYS better, right up to full sun. #3 They need a cool dormancy. I just keep mine outside year round, but many folks put them in the fridge. Rule of thumb for that is dormancy from Halloween to Valentine's Day. Good luck!

[MattWoelfsen]

Thank you Subrosa. This very good information. The dormancy period you described people put them in the refrigerator? Does the plant die back during this time?

[Subrosa]

Oh yes, they turn black and rot. If you're doing the fridge method you'll want to cut away any dead leaves and put the plant in a Ziploc with some lightly moist sphagnum. Too moist and it will rot. Think "pipe tobacco" to get the moisture right. If you have an unheated garage or basement that won't get totally frigid it might be easier to just move the pot into that area for a dormancy. Oh and one other thing, if it's still in that little plastic container, known as a "Death Cube", get it out! Good air circulation is far more important than high humidity, as long as the media remains moist.

[Leafmite]

I rescued a little dried up CP last fall and it turned out to be a flytrap. (It is tiny.) Thanks for the info. I'll toss it in the fridge this fall with the Pleiones.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Joining the board is free, but not required to bid or offer donations for the auction. Just check out the rules in the dedicated auction forum.

That surprises me, Sub. Thought you had to be a member. (Though moot point in my case as I already am.)

[Subrosa]

Not according to this Paul:
AUCTION IS OPEN TO: the general public! You do not have to be a registered TerraForums member to donate (list) an item or bid (for purchase) on an item.
If you bid as a Guest, you MUST provide contact information in your bid post(s). Guest bids without contact information will be voided. You are welcome to join TerraForums if you'd like...we love new members!

---------- Post added at 11:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:58 AM ----------

Oh and to both Matt and Leafmite, if you're willing to do a small in-ground bog, I would suspect that with a thick layer of winter mulch you could keep VFTs outdoors year round. I'm in zone 6B, and mine survived the winter from hell in a half barrel, above ground with no protection. Sarracenia Pitchers, particularly S purpurea and its hybrids would likely prove even more cold hardy. S. purpurea is found naturally in all but the coldest areas of Canada. Not all populations will prove THAT cold hardy, but there is an Ontario location variety that's fairly common.

[Laserbeak]

I LOVE all strange and unusual plants, so I'm getting into them too, especially since I now realize they come from a temperate climate not some steamy jungle far off in some country I can't pronounce

I like fruits, carnivorous plants and, of course, above all orchids. At least that's what I'm working on now.

[Subrosa]

Take a look Laser!