Venus Flytrap in Bloom

[NYCorchidman]

This is from the Whole Foods from last summer.
It grew well until the winter came. I was not expecting much because I read that these plants need cold winter to thrive for the long run.
Well, my window doesn't get very cold at all and the good part of the entire plant turned black and dead (it seems) It surprised me with this big flower spike last month, and now giving me a bunch of delicate little white flowers.
I like the contrast. Bizarre looking plant with delicate white flowers.

I'm going to find out how this plant will fare this year after having a warm winter here.

[bethmarie]

That is so cool! I've been thinking about a side trip into the carnivores (like I need more plants) but the memory of all the flytraps I killed as a kid makes me wary!

[NYCorchidman]

Buy some more and see if you'd do better now.
I also have butterworts and it's just lovely in and out of flowers.

[AnonYMouse]

Interesting. I've never seen flowers.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

This is from the Whole Foods from last summer.
It grew well until the winter came. I was not expecting much because I read that these plants need cold winter to thrive for the long run.
Well, my window doesn't get very cold at all and the good part of the entire plant turned black and dead (it seems) It surprised me with this big flower spike last month, and now giving me a bunch of delicate little white flowers.
I like the contrast. Bizarre looking plant with delicate white flowers.

I'm going to find out how this plant will fare this year after having a warm winter here.

It will likely grow normally this season, but without a proper cold rest eventually it won't come back from its attempt at dormancy one year in the near future. I keep mine outside year round in zone 6B and the plants flower late spring each year. Although they're all currently in the ground, they did survive the winter before this one just passed in an above ground half barrel. Providing dormancy indoors is very simple. You can put them in Ziploc bags or plastic food storage containers in the fridge from about Halloween to Valentine's Day. Normally you can set and forget them during dormancy, as long as they don't get too dry.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

It will likely grow normally this season, but without a proper cold rest eventually it won't come back from its attempt at dormancy one year in the near future. I keep mine outside year round in zone 6B and the plants flower late spring each year. Although they're all currently in the ground, they did survive the winter before this one just passed in an above ground half barrel. Providing dormancy indoors is very simple. You can put them in Ziploc bags or plastic food storage containers in the fridge from about Halloween to Valentine's Day. Normally you can set and forget them during dormancy, as long as they don't get too dry.

That would probably explain why mine (tried these twice) never lasted more than a few years before dying. Good advice! Though I don't know if my boyfriend wants plants in the fridge, he already thinks the apartment is overrun with plants! How about putting them someplace that doesn't get below freezing? Our storage room has a small window/ventilation vent, and so in the winter it's usually around 5C in there. Do you overwinter them more on the dry side (but not totally dry), or still keep them moist?

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by bethmarie

That is so cool! I've been thinking about a side trip into the carnivores (like I need more plants) but the memory of all the flytraps I killed as a kid makes me wary!

Considering your current proximity to the native habitat of fly traps as long as you have a bit of sunny space outside you would have to really try to kill one! A large container full of a 50/50 mix of sand and peat planted with fly traps, Sarracenia and native Sundews sitting in a tray of rain water would be almost maintenance free until the plants start crowding each other, requiring only refilling the tray and an occasional weeding. Over wintering would be very easy as well, possibly effortless with proper placement. You really should do it!

---------- Post added at 07:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:21 AM ----------

Originally Posted by camille1585

That would probably explain why mine (tried these twice) never lasted more than a few years before dying. Good advice! Though I don't know if my boyfriend wants plants in the fridge, he already thinks the apartment is overrun with plants! How about putting them someplace that doesn't get below freezing? Our storage room has a small window/ventilation vent, and so in the winter it's usually around 5C in there. Do you overwinter them more on the dry side (but not totally dry), or still keep them moist?

5C would likely work. The plants should never be drier than slightly damp, even during dormancy. During active growth they are fine with water right up to the crown of the plants. But the wetter you keep them during dormancy, particularly indoors, the greater the chance of rot.

---------- Post added at 07:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 AM ----------

For anyone interested in learning about Venus Fly Traps, and/or any carnivorous plants TerraForums is a great place to do it.

[RosieC]

Really cool to see the flowers.

I never new about the cool winter requirement either. If I try one of these again I will do that. I tend to find butterworts and small pitcher plants work better for me though as they catch all those tiny gnats that hang around the orchids.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Really cool to see the flowers.

I never new about the cool winter requirement either. If I try one of these again I will do that. I tend to find butterworts and small pitcher plants work better for me though as they catch all those tiny gnats that hang around the orchids.

True, VFTs tend to specialize in larger prey. There's a pic on Terraforums of someone's 'King Henry' (a very large cultivar) eating a small lizard it trapped!

[NYCorchidman]

Yeah, I thought about sticking this into the fridge for the winter but wasn't sure about being dark the whole time in there. I will try this winter.

Rosie- these catch big bugs like houseflies or small beetles. I keep these because I like the leaves and now flowers I occasionally feed them with bugs that I catch outside.