Fly Trap Dying!! Help!?

[trapgirl]

Hey, I have had this one fly trap for about 8 months. It was quite healthy when I got it, but it tried to flower all through-out it's dormancy period, and now that it's spring all the heads are dying off. I don't know what's wrong with it! Can any one help? I can post a picture if that helps.

[hal]

Please do post a picture. What conditions have you been keeping it under during dormancy?

[trapgirl]

In a mini greenhouse will a plant light, but minimal light. 4-5 hours of light a day, and watering, oh and it stayed inside.

[tael]

You can make an account at www.photobucket.com. Upload an image, and copy the image code (the one that has on each end) you can copy it from the little boxes that will appear underneath your uploaded photo on photobucket. After you have copied the image code, you paste it into your reply on the forum. If you need more help just PM me and I'll be glad to try to explain it better!

[tael]

When you hold the cursor over the picture, a little box should pop up underneath it. Then you highlight the the last box IMG code, and copy and paste it into the reply box on the forum. Hope it helps!

[trapgirl]

[trapgirl]

Thanks for the help with the pics tael I am confused, haven't been on a forum in YEARS. But anyhow, the pics aren't so clear but you may notice that the heads are blackened as well as where the plant tried to flower, as well the plant had significantly shrunk in size since when I first got it, 8 months ago.

Any ideas?

[mabudon]

maybe cut the flower stalks off, looks like it needs way more light for starters

[muscipula]

As mabudon said, cut the flower stocks as they diminish the each plants energy for trap production and they're well being. although that terrarium was from what i assume a gift i believe you should put your Venus flytraps outside during the warm days and bring them back inside during the cool nights, then gradually bring them back outside 24/7 when its warm and above freezing temperatures. I'm unfamiliar with your Zone , this would help us know your plants complete growing season that's given if its safe to say that your nights and days have no chance of frost then your plants should be outside by now, if not keep them inside your terrarium for now and make sure air flow is given. (open the door for periods of time). also make sure your watering is done with rainwater or distilled water. just be patient and willing until the summer months are around for your VFT's to boost in growth. your soil should be a mix of peat,Perlite/Silica Sand. if any further questions are needed we are all willing to help you out, i wish you best of luck and if you never want your plant to ever die, keep in touch trust me. ;D


-Wayne-

[trapgirl]

Hi Wayne. thanks for the tips.

My climate can be very harsh, especially in Barrie. In the winter temperature hangs around -15-20C and can reach -35-40C and in the summer most days are very hot and dry, usually around 20-25degrees C. Not a great place for VFT. And up until June you can expect frost and even sometimes snow, so it wouldn't be a great time for them to be outside. Spring and fall weather rarely goes above 0 degrees C

I have them in the window in the terrarium and I think that helps keep some warmth in otherwise if they stayed in the window 24/7 they would quickly die. I am mostly confused as to why the VFT tried to flower several times throughout the winter, and also, why it appears to be in dormancy now that it's the spring?

[carnivoure12]

VFT's don't really need a greenhouse's when put outside, they do best when put outisde after all warnings of frost have passed, they love lots of light, keep it in a water tray with distilled water.

[flytrapcare.com]

Looking at the photos of your plant, it's obvious to me that the main problem is lack of light. See how long, thin and spindly the new growth is? And how the new leaves aren't forming traps? That's due to lack of light.

You should definitely move your VFT outside once summer arrives. 20-25°C is a good temperature range for VFTs and they adapt well to low humidity. Just put it in the sunniest location you can find and it should do great.

[mabudon]

I was born and raised in Bracebridge and if I still lived there I'd have no problems putting VFTs outside in summer. Brian has a bog in Bancroft (sounds like a bad novelty song title- or maybe Stompin Tom but anyways) I don't know if he's successful with VFTs but his Sarrs do pretty well way up there, I wouldn't worry about humidity, they need light and clean water and they'll be fine.

As for the flowering- nust not have been cold enough to make them go dormant. Mass flowerings usually mean one of two things- either tyhe plant is just ridiculously healthy and happy OR the plant fears the end is nigh and is putting all its energy into making seeds so a new generation will replace it once it passes on- from the look of that plant I would think you could guess which of the two would be the more likely diagnosis


Oh and I am in a goofy mood today, not trying to be mean or a smart-arse (well maybe a little smart-arsed )

[trapgirl]

This is my first plant, give me a break.

Do you have any HELPFUL advice for me mabudon?

[brian]

My "Hail Mary" approach would be to cut off the flower stalk and pop it in your fridge 3 months, water with DI or RO just enough to keep it from drying out then put it in good sun late June. I am guessing it was too warm for it to get its dormancy.