Dionaea – Venus Fly Trap
The Venus Fly Trap is the most well known of the carnivorous plant world. Its leafy traps seem simple, but they are programmed using a tripwire, internal timer, and electrical impulses. Yep.
The fly trap opens to lure insects with sweet nectar. There are several trigger hairs that signal when an insect has shown interest. If the hairs are triggered twice (think about double-clicking your mouse), within a few seconds, an electrical impulse forces the trap to shut.If the insect is large enough, it will be digested. Smaller insects can escape between the teeth, and if it turns out to be a false alarm, such as a leaf or stick, the jaws will open again. If a larger insect starts to struggle, the plant will clasp the jaws firmly and secrete enzymes to digest the insect’s soft tissues over a few days’ time. Later it will open its jaws, inviting other insects to dine on the leftovers.
Each trap can be used up to 3 times before turning black and die off. The plant will use the nutrients to grow more traps.
Most Popular Types
There are a lot of varieties of Dionaea, all with really fun names: Polish Dracula, Miss Thing, Wally, Sasquatch, Godzilla…
Light
Dionaea need at least 12 hours of light each day, with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight.
Temperatures
Venus fly traps are accustomed to temperatures between 60-90°F. During the winter, the plants go into dormancy. At that time, they can withstand temps down to 40°F for short periods.
Watering
Keep Venus fly traps in moist substrate (it doesn’t need to be soil – it could just be a mix of peat and spaghnum moss), watering from the bottom to keep the soil from being too soggy.
Water only with distilled water, or water that has been sitting out for 24 hours. Carnivorous plants don’t like chlorine.
Toxicity
Non-toxic to humans and pets, never mind what Little Shop of Horrors tells you.
Growth
The size of the traps depend on the variety of Dionaea, with “Gigantea” being the largest at 3 inches. The plants reach maturity at 4-5 years, at which point they will flower and produce seeds in the spring,.
Do not fertilize!
Origin
South Carolina and a bit of North Carolina is the only region where Dionaea grow naturally.
Propagation
The black roots attached to the rhizome can be split according to the offshoots. Also, seeds can be obtained from mature plants.
Dormancy
Dionaea go dormant in the winter, relying on their black roots to survive the cold climate.
flowering Venus Fly Trap
carnivorous terrarium
red Venus Fly Trap
Workshops at Growing Hobby
Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.