|
|
Post by Spruance on Dec 23, 2006 15:54:43 GMT
I have kept Venus Flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) in the greenhouse for three years now, as, in conjunction with Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia), they seem a far more effective control for flying inescts.
Until now, I have never successfully overwintered a Venus Flytrap in the unheated GH, although one pitcher plant did scrape through last winter.
This year I have brought both Venus Flytraps into the house, and they seem perfectly happy in their new surroundings, on the back bedroom windowsill.
I have given them only around half an inch of rainwater in the bottom of the container, but I wonder if I should provide any form of liquid feed over the winter months? Also, what about watering? Do I maintain a little and often regime, or would they prefer the 'when I remember' approach that the other indoor plants seem to thrive on.
It would be nice to reintroduce established plants to the GH next season, instead of trailing down to the GC every year for replacements.
|
|
|
|
Post by 4pygmies on Dec 23, 2006 17:09:34 GMT
I have this trouble too Spruance. My Venus Fly Trap is in an unheated conservatory. After some research I found an article (lost it now...) that says to keep moist still with rainwater but to let the jug stand until it's more like room temperature before watering. I have draped some bubble wrap loosely over mine just to try and keep it from freezing. Usually it goes black and dies long before Spring...I shall be interested to hear if yours has survived then.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2006 17:24:27 GMT
My insectivorous plants live all year in my conservatory, I keep them moist through the winter removing any black stems as required  They shouldn't be given liquid feed as they only feed through their leaves/traps and not through their roots. Here is a link to a care guide at Little Shop of Horrors |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2006 19:47:55 GMT
I kept mine for 3 years by putting it in the GH in Spring and bringing it into the house only on the longest, darkest, coldest days of Winter. I always kept mine standing in water because I read somewhere that they are almost bog plants and like to be kept moist at all times. I never gave it any feed at all as it will kill them. Unfortunately, I took it to work last Winter and it didn't seem to like it there (I know the feeling :  and although it's still going, it's barely hanging on. FA x |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2006 22:53:34 GMT
I trust you only water with rainwater Andy? |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2006 9:17:52 GMT
Yes, I do Rita. I think the biggest problem with mine was that I used an old coca cola bottle to take the rainwater from my water butt to the office. I did rinse it out first but the plant went all sickly after that. Not surprising really - coke makes me sick too !!!!! ;D ;D
FA x
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2006 10:32:42 GMT
LOL - were there plenty of flies in your office for it though? |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2006 18:10:51 GMT
Yes, plenty ! For some reason, we are "blessed" with plenty of flies in our office so it never went hungry.
FA x
|
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Dec 24, 2006 19:27:01 GMT
Thanks for that link Rita.  The flytraps look radiant at the moment, whilst the pitcher plants are still going strong in the cool GH. They will probably be brought in in the next week or so. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2006 17:23:50 GMT
Yes, plenty ! For some reason, we are "blessed" with plenty of flies in our office so it never went hungry. FA x Only freshly swatted ones I trust as opposed to those killed with fly spray?  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2006 17:50:06 GMT
Swatted ? Fly spray ? No - I always feed 'em live. Got a pair of tweezers in my drawer at work, catch them on a window, hold by one wing over the trap so it springs it and is caught. Bye bye fly !
FA x
|
|
|
|
Post by Cheerypeabrain on Dec 27, 2006 18:00:20 GMT
I have two pitcher plants, one outside and one in the cold GH...should I bring them in then? It's the first year I've kept them and purchased quite large plants. We've already had a few frosty mornings and they look OK so far....I have an unheated conservatory that stayed warm enough to get my bananas and some other tropical plants through last winter...also have a gerbera and a bird of paradise plant in cold GH...would they be better off indoors too?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2006 18:12:45 GMT
Cheery
I would if I were you. We haven't had it really cold yet and they might succumb if we have a really cold snap !
Cheers
FA x
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2006 19:35:29 GMT
Swatted ? Fly spray ? No - I always feed 'em live. Got a pair of tweezers in my drawer at work, catch them on a window, hold by one wing over the trap so it springs it and is caught. Bye bye fly ! FA x The reason I asked FA, is I know someone who wondered why their fly trap died - they had fed it flies killed using fly spray  But of course I knew that you wouldn't do something like that |
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Dec 28, 2006 20:10:01 GMT
Like ChearyP I have a pitcher plant. It is still outside. I looked it up on the site [this one][http://www.littleshopofhorrors.co.uk/customer/product.php?productid=17286&cat=265&page=1][]
Spruance how did you do the trick with the hyperlink name change again?
It said on the pot hardy and it is still green. I decided to leave it. I had my doubts after reading this thread but since it does not fit in my garden I am going to leave it in the pond. A test to see if it can really survive.
Gardening the cruel way.
Dutchy
|
|
|
|
Post by Cheerypeabrain on Dec 28, 2006 20:24:50 GMT
Dutchy, Mine had labels saying that they were frost hardy down to -20 ! BUT as both are in big pots I've dragged them into the GH...it's quite cold in there but above freezing.
The gerbera came into the conservatory though and has perked up no end in one day! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Dec 28, 2006 20:29:19 GMT
Way to go Gerbera ;D
My Pitcher plant is in a pot too but it sits in the muddy swamp end on the pond. All I do is check if nextdoors cat has not knocked it over again ( strange one that )
|
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Dec 28, 2006 20:57:53 GMT
Like ChearyP I have a pitcher plant. It is still outside. I looked it up on the site [this one][http://www.littleshopofhorrors.co.uk/customer/product.php?productid=17286&cat=265&page=1][] Spruance how did you do the trick with the hyperlink name change again?It said on the pot hardy and it is still green. I decided to leave it. I had my doubts after reading this thread but since it does not fit in my garden I am going to leave it in the pond. A test to see if it can really survive. Gardening the cruel way. Dutchy To set up a hyperlink, replace the round brackets below with square ones... (url=http://www.littleshopofhorrors.co.uk/customer/product.php?productid=17286&cat=265&page=1)Pitcher Plant(/url) Which with square brackets becomes Pitcher Plant. If you quote the text of this message, it will show the square bracket layout as well. |
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Dec 29, 2006 15:29:22 GMT
My saviour as ever ;D
Is there a thread or something that has all these clever tricks in writing so I can look it up without constantly nagging you?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2007 21:42:27 GMT
My VFT is gone. dead. demised. it is an ex VFT.
Finally gave up the ghost this week. May have to get another one in the Spring.
FA x
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2007 10:50:41 GMT
Are you sure it hasn't just died back for the winter?  Is this the VFT you had at work BTW? |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2007 17:13:05 GMT
Rita
I'm sure. It had one shoot with a pad on the end which was very limp. The only pad was about ¼ of an inch across and going black. I took it out of the pot and the roots looked all withered and shrivelled so I binned it. Yes, this was the one I had at work. I'll get another one in the Spring and keep it in the GH over Summer.
FA x
|
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Feb 13, 2007 8:25:52 GMT
The Pitcher plant in my pond is still alive.
It got kicked about by the wind but still has new shoots.
Tougher than I thought it would be.
I wonder if I can cut away the brown bits later on.
|
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Feb 22, 2007 11:39:04 GMT
Just as a follow up, I am pleased to confirm that my Pitcher plants and Venus Fly Traps seem to have enjoyed their windowsill 'holiday' over the winter months, and look very healthy indeed. I think I will keep them in for just a little longer, but this has saved the cost of replacement GH fly catchers this year at least. Dutchy: I think it should be ok to cut off the brown bits as the weather improves. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2007 12:34:39 GMT
That's good to hear Spruance ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Feb 22, 2007 18:38:50 GMT
;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2007 21:31:08 GMT
My VFT was looking a bit yellow earlier this week, despite having quite a few new traps sprouting. On closer inspection, the water tray had dried up and obviously the soil was drying out so I stuck it in the cold kitchen gave it a good drink of rainwater, and another two traps have just sprouted.
it's still a tiny plant, but getting bigger all the time - watch out bugs !
|
|
and although it's still going, it's barely hanging on.
