Growing Guides

What exactly is so fascinating about carnivorous plants that captures the human imagination?

Carnivorous plants are fascinating for several reasons. First and foremost, they are unique in their ability to capture and digest animal prey, which is a trait typically associated with animals rather than plants. This remarkable adaptation has evolved as a survival strategy in environments with low nutrient availability, particularly in acidic, nutrient-poor soils. Furthermore, carnivorous plants have evolved a wide range of mechanisms for capturing prey, including sticky or slippery surfaces, pitfall traps, snap traps, and suction traps. Each of these...

April 9, 2023By Carnivorous Plants0 CommentsRead more...

What are some common pitfalls with growing carnivorous plants?

Growing carnivorous plants can be a rewarding hobby, but it also comes with some common pitfalls that can cause the plants to die or fail to thrive. Here are some of the most common pitfalls to watch out for: Incorrect watering: Carnivorous plants need to be watered with distilled or rainwater because they are sensitive to minerals and chemicals found in tap water. Over-watering or allowing the plants to sit in standing water can also cause root rot. Poor lighting:...

April 9, 2023By Carnivorous Plants0 CommentsRead more...

What’s a good carnivorous plant to select if I am new to the hobby?

If you are new to the carnivorous plant hobby, a good starter plant would be the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula). Venus Flytraps are easy to find, widely available, and relatively easy to care for. They also have a unique and fascinating way of capturing their prey, which makes them a popular choice among beginners. Venus Flytraps are native to the southeastern United States and thrive in bright, direct sunlight and well-draining soil that is kept moist at all times. They require...

April 9, 2023By Carnivorous Plants0 CommentsRead more...

Will growing carnivorous plants eliminate my insect problem?

Growing carnivorous plants can be an effective way to control insect populations in your home or garden, but it may not completely eliminate your insect problem. Carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps, sundews, and pitcher plants are adapted to capture and consume insects as a source of nutrients. However, these plants typically only consume small insects and may not be able to control larger or more numerous pests. In addition, carnivorous plants require specific growing conditions and may not be well-suited...

April 9, 2023By Carnivorous Plants0 CommentsRead more...

What are the most popular types of carnivorous plants to grow?

There are many different types of carnivorous plants that are popular among gardeners and plant enthusiasts. Some of the most common and popular types include: Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula): The Venus Flytrap is perhaps the most well-known carnivorous plant, with its distinctive traps that snap shut when triggered by prey. Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia spp.): Pitcher plants have a deep, pitcher-shaped cavity filled with a digestive liquid that attracts and traps insects. Sundews (Drosera spp.): Sundews have sticky, glandular leaves that...

April 9, 2023By Carnivorous Plants0 CommentsRead more...

All about Venus Flytrap dormancy

Venus Flytraps will go dormant based on the following triggers: cold temperatures, cooler nights in the 40's and low 50's, and a shortening photoperiod. The plants can sense that the months are shortening, even if the plant is warm all the time. It can still go dormant solely via a shortened photoperiod even without experiencing cooler temps. Mature plants must go dormant each year in order to survive after they're about 1-2 years old. Otherwise, they will die within a year...

November 17, 2021By Venus Flytraps0 CommentsRead more...

Carnivorous plant genuses

Botanists currently recognize 18 groups of carnivorous plants that make up the 700+ species found throughout the world. Aldrovanda (Waterwheel) Brocchinia (Bromeliad) Byblis (Rainbow Plant) Catopsis (Bromeliad) Cephalotus (Australian Pitcher) Darlingtonia (Cobra Plant) Dionaea (Venus Flytrap) Drosera (Sundew) Drosophyllum (Dewy Pine) Genlisea (Corkscrew Plant) Heliamphora Nepenthes (Tropical Asian Pitcher) Philcoxia Pinguicula Roridula Sarracenia Triphyophyllum Utricularia The botanical names for these groups of plants are in italics. The common names are in parenthesis. Both names are used interchangeably among hobbyists, so it...

September 23, 2021By Science & Education0 CommentsRead more...

Understanding carnivorous plants

The one thing that positively helped us become successful growing carnivorous plants was understanding that carnivorous plants are plants. They are not animals. They are not pets. They are not lizards sticking out of the ground that will rid your home of pesky flies forever. Carnivorous plants are plants. Animals are different from plants in how they acquire energy. Animals obtain energy by eating food, such as meats and vegetables. These foods contain proteins and starches, which are then transformed into...

September 23, 2021By Science & Education0 CommentsRead more...

Carnivorous plant habitats

To most folks a freshwater bog or swamp seems to be very rich in nutrients, especially since mosses, ferns and orchids seem to thrive there. The rich black color of the soil suggests fertile conditions, but chemical analysis proves otherwise. The tea-colored waters are acidic and rich in tannic acid from abundant decomposing Sphagnum moss. This acidic condition, along with frequent water flow, quickly removes minerals from the soil. In warm weather, any remaining minerals are quickly consumed by bacterial decay....

September 23, 2021By Science & Education0 CommentsRead more...

The Venus Flytrap’s seasonal leaves

Venus flytraps tend to produce two types of leaves: spring-summer leaves and summer-autumn leaves. Before we describe the details, you need to know a little terminology. The trapping part of a leaf (the part that looks like a clam) is called the lamina or leaf-blade. The long leafy part that connects the lamina to the ground is called the leaf-base. (A third leaf part, the petiole, is the little post that connects the leaf base to the lamina. Some people...

September 23, 2021By Venus Flytraps0 CommentsRead more...