Venus Flytrap question

[Leeanna]

I understand that most carnivorous plants are native to wetlands. Would a Venus Flytrap do well with the roots submerged in a covered tank that is part planted fish tank, and half full of water? Has anyone ever tried adding a Venus Flytrap in a terraraium/ vivarium with the roots submerged in water, but the plant exposed to terrarium air, or would that be too wet and lead to root rot? Is this a bad idea?

[Spar]

from past readings on forums, my gatherings was that it needs to stay more dry then moist. So I think the roots in the water would be bad.

do a search at www.dendroboard.com on "venus fly trap" and see what comes up. there seems to be a lot of posts there about them.

[yoink]

I had one in a paludarium that did ok for about two months. It slowly died back, produced smaller leaves/traps, then those died too. It's roots were constantly wet, planted in shultz aquatic plant soil and sphagnum moss. I also tried a cobra lilly and some pitcher plants. The cobra lilly did the same thing as the VFT, but the pitcher plant hung on for a little while longer and even sprouted another pitcher. Alas it died also. Now all I have in there is moss and a small hosta from the back yard.

[DarkSoul]

carnivours plants require living in an acidic NITROGEN FREE soil, or wetland.
there natural habitats are places where nitrogen is low enough that most normal plants wouldnt survive.
this is why they eat meat, they get all of there nuterients from the bugs etc that they catch and eat.
if you are trying to grow these plants in an aquarium with fish or whatever, they will naturally die due to the fact that they are getting way way way way way too much nitrogen/nitrates etc.

i used to grow these when i was younger and did a bunch of research on them.
i have this wicked badass book that gives you information on each type, its growing conditions and everything needed to care for whatever plant your reading up on.

i can give some info on VFT's if interested.

[SCMurphy]

This web site has a lot of information on how to keep bog plants:
http://carnivorousplantnursery.com/index.htm
I met the guy, seems like he knows what he's talking about. We are planning to invite him to give a talk at our local club.

[elgecko]

I grow many different CPs.
I also had VFT's when I was younger and watched them slowly die. A big problem is people water them with tap water. The heavy metals and other chemicals will kill CPs. You must use pure water such as RO, distilled, or rain water.
Here is a great place for info:
http://www.sarracenia.com/faq.html

and my CP pages with pictures of some of my plants:
http://www.geocities.com/elgecko1989/carnivorous.html

[elgecko]

Originally Posted by SCMurphy

This web site has a lot of information on how to keep bog plants:
http://carnivorousplantnursery.com/index.htm
I met the guy, seems like he knows what he's talking about. We are planning to invite him to give a talk at our local club.

Michael Szesze knows his stuff. I visited his nursery last year and bought a few plants from him.

[Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

Originally Posted by elgecko

I grow many different CPs.
A big problem is people water them with tap water. The heavy metals and other chemicals will kill CPs. You must use pure water such as RO, distilled, or rain water.

I am looking to keep these in my paludarium also. Luckily because there are many CPs indigious to my area, there are many people that keep and propagate them. Very strict laws protecting wild CPs here also. I was speaking with a gentleman who propagates them and he said there are three things that kill VFT in the care of inexperienced hobbyists.

Overwatering. He said to soak them, then mist daily until the peat starts to get on the moist/dry side and then soak again and mist and keep the cycle going. They will die if they are soaked all the time. He also warned about watering them with regular tap or well water because of the build up of heavy metals. He said to stay clear of using the water from your tank as most people have fertilizer in the water and it is enough to kill them over time. He also suggested RO water for watering and misting.

Over feeding. He said VFT are rather good at photosynthesis and the feeding is always a thrilling novelty for the new keepers but not necessary, they need be given meat once in a while.

Under lighting conditions. People will try and keep them in a lighting situation that does not allow them to perform photosynethesis at the level they need it.

Anyhow that was the extent of our conversation two days ago. Also remember that these are plants that have a dormancy period in the middle of winter. Some people that keep them in ideal conditions will cut back the hours of light they recieve to bring about thier dormancy and then move them to a cool area for a month.

[Georgiadawgger]

Originally Posted by DarkSoul

carnivours plants require living in an acidic NITROGEN FREE soil, or wetland.
there natural habitats are places where nitrogen is low enough that most normal plants wouldnt survive.
this is why they eat meat, they get all of there nuterients from the bugs etc that they catch and eat.
if you are trying to grow these plants in an aquarium with fish or whatever, they will naturally die due to the fact that they are getting way way way way way too much nitrogen/nitrates etc.

i used to grow these when i was younger and did a bunch of research on them.
i have this wicked badass book that gives you information on each type, its growing conditions and everything needed to care for whatever plant your reading up on.

i can give some info on VFT's if interested.

he's right on about the lack of nutrient requirement! Two of my committee members were "experts" in pitcher plants, wetlands and carnivorous plants in general (Drs. George and Debby Folkerts).

I would think Venus Fly traps have similar requirements, but they are native to the Carolinas (mostly the Charleston, SC and coastal region). Pretty harsh habitat for a plant!

[elgecko]

Here's a picture of my minibog.
I have Dentate Traps, Red Dragon, Typical - Venus Flytraps, Drosera rotundifolia, and Drosera filiformis ssp. filiformis FL Red.

[Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

Do you keep them outdoors all year in PA?

[Marc]

Ive also read that they like water with no mineral content. Im using RO water with mine and they seem to be doing okay.

[elgecko]

Originally Posted by Zaphod_Beeblebrox

Do you keep them outdoors all year in PA?

I keep them outside till the weather hits freezing. Then I move them into my garage that is in the low 50's till the weather warms up above freezing again.

[Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

I was looking at your websight, very nice. I thought you might want to know in your signature you have http:/www.geocities.com/elgecko1989, you need to add a backslash so it is http://www.geocities.com/elgecko1989

[elgecko]

Glad you like my site.
Thanks for letting me know about the missing / in my address.