Trap teeth turning backwards

[keltera]

hello!

I recently purchased this flytrap at a garden show i was a volunteer at for my orchid society.

I have noticed that several of the traps have there teeth turning backwards... i originally hope that it was just these few traps and the rest would come in normal, but ive noticed after feeding one of the traps (the teeth were normal when i fed it) it turned its teeth out backwards still with the food inside. Is this a genetic trait? or is there a problem with lighting? or something else? also, one of the new traps is only half formed.

I have it inside in my humidity shelf sitting with my orchids and nepenthis.i do have lighting, but its on the higher shelf and it also gets natural sun as the shelf is by the window. (south facing)



After Feeding


Obviously fed before with no ill affect


Inverted teeth



Half formed new growth



Would love any input

[mabudon]

odd, I've never had that happen, and I am lousy with flytraps!

[prmills]

I believe that happens with age for the teeth to bend backwards. They are still good for photosynthasis but that will be it. As for the half formed... I dunno. Seeing that you got it recently, it still may be adjusting to your conditions and therefore not growing at it's peak yet.

[z]

It looks like a normal vft to me! When feeding, the walls of the trap will push together, causing the cilia to turn outwards. This also produces a watertight pocket that allows for the digestion of the insect without stuff leaking out.

The other traps that are opened already and have the inverted teeth are probably traps that are either old or have eaten 3-4 bugs already and have worn out. A leaf can only last soo long, and since the plant already invested so much resources into the leaf, it tries to lessen the loss by maximizing the area for photosynthesis when the leaf becomes inoperational. You should notice that these traps probably wont work when you trigger them, or they are at least extremely slow. I wouldn't feed these traps, but don't cut them off either since they are still photosynthesizing.

The malformed leaf is something that is not normal. I sometimes get them on my vft when moving them. It can be caused by changing environmental conditions, low sunglight, pests, etc. If it persists, it is probably caused by some sort of pest attacking the growth point. If it doesn't, it could be just a one time thing caused by some sudden change in conditions and it should go away in the next leaf.

Other than that, your vft looks good. It does look a little green and spindly. You said you give it full sun, but can you tell us how many hours?

[Rug]

Totally normal. They do that so that the lobes can form a seal and tighten around the victim. This seal allows the plant to produce and use its digestive enzimes. Traps can only open and close so many times before they get worn out. Then typically the teeth turn out as you are seeing on old traps and are used only for photosynthisis.

[sticky]

its like I just had deja vu
S@

[keltera]

thanks guys!
a Releif to know its normal i just had not seen any picture of it so i was not sure!!

As for the lighting, (ive only had the plant for a week btw) i keep my lights on form the time i roll out of bed (usually around 6:30) to when i pass out around 10-12. But! it is also on the bottom shelf, so, it would be the bottom right in the picture (you cant see it due to the bed). Lights are at the top just above the top level orchids and dews.

[prmills]

Not a bad setup, I like those 4 tier greenhouses. Your VFT definately needs more light that it gets. I'd atleast put it on the top shelf, or the windowsill but it looks like it'd be hard to take care of it there. Mine are outside in full sun right now. Even when I have them inside, they are only a few inches away from the lights.