Domestic "predator"

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Venus flytrap (Dionea) is native to the North American continent. It is a predatory carnivorous plant that feeds on insects, cockroaches, spiders and beetles

The Venus flytrap catches its prey with its unusual leaves - traps, which are framed by teeth. To some extent, the leaves of Dionea are similar to the shells of mollusks.

In the traps, nectar is released, attracting all kinds of insects with its aroma. There are three hairs on the inner surface of the flycatcher, if the insect comes into contact with them, then the trap instantly slams shut. Growing such a miracle of nature at home is a rather complicated process, but if you make an effort and provide Dionea with the right care, you can get a domestic “plant predator”. I think that many would be interested in growing an exotic plant at home.

Planting a Venus flytrap

It must be planted in a substrate that is poor in mineral salts. For example, peat mixed with sand in a one-to-one ratio. Before placing the substrate in the pot, it is advisable to rinse the sand well in running water 3-4 times and then repeat the same thing, only in distilled water. You can use any container for planting that you like, the Venus flytrap in a glass transparent pot will look quite original, the only thing that needs to be taken into account is the diameter of the pot. It is necessary that it be larger than the crown of the plant itself, this is necessary for the comfortable growth of the plant. First of all, before the planting process itself, you need to moisten the prepared peat well, since Dionea loves moisture very much, and drought adversely affects its development. The best time of the year to plant the Flycatcher is early spring (at this time of the year, it grows and develops well). In the process of growth, Dionea forms daughter bulbs, thanks to which new flycatchers can be obtained.

Illumination of Dionea

Venus Flycatcher loves a bright place, but it should not be placed in direct sunlight. Few plants, even such a predator, will enjoy the scorching sun. Therefore, in the midday summer time, the Flycatcher needs to provide a little shade. A window sill is a favorable place for Dionea's house. It is highly undesirable to rearrange and rotate the plant around its axis relative to the light. It is a good idea to mark the pot to prevent rotation.

Top dressing

The main source of food for the Flycatcher is animal food. There is no need to specially "feed" your "domesticated predator"; this can simply destroy the plant. Let Dionea enjoy herself in obtaining the food she needs. Only in the case when insects are absolutely not flying around the Flycatcher, we can make top dressing. Having caught an insect, give it to the plant with your own hands, it must be alive, since the full release of digestive juice occurs while the insect moves inside the trap. You should not overfeed the flycatcher; it is enough to feed it 1-2 times a month. If it seems to you that the plant is starving, especially in the winter season, then you can feed it with a half solution of fish emulsion.

Dormant period of Venus flytrap (Wintering)

How to prepare a plant for a dormant period? It is necessary to ensure a gradual decrease in temperature and a decrease in daylight hours within a month. This should be done in late October, early November. The temperature should first be reduced to 10-15 degrees and then gradually brought to 5 degrees Celsius, this is easy to do: you just need to take the plant out to the balcony. In winter, during rest, the Venus flytrap goes into hibernation.