Regarding Venus Fly Trap and Pitcher Plant

[ozy]

Hi,

I recently got a pot of venus fly trap and a pitcher plant as a present.

Just want to find out if any reefers here are also into botany and willing to share some knowledge as I am totally new to this.

[typrobin]

the last time i had a venus fly trap, i was told that watering the plant would be sufficient as insects serve more like a supplement...

but i doubt so, mine died after about 2mths..

i have no idea how u wanna catch insects for them..

for venus fly trap, their trap is activated when something tickers the inside of the trap, so my suggestion is to drop an insect right into the centre and irritate the surface with a toothpick..never tried b4, just suggesting..

pitcher even easier, just drop the insect into the "toilet bowl" lo...try to feed live insects, cos i think they will reject dead ones...

[wolfie]

mayb can buy food aka insects frm bird shops?

[wolfie]

and thislook this up

hope this helps...

[bubble_gum]

both plants need damp soil.... very damp.

must be shadded from direct sunlight

IMO it can survive w/o feeding on incests

the most important thing is for the soil to be damp but not too wet.

venus flytrap is more difficult to keep.

pitcher plants are much easier.

[RAV-65]

Wow! anyone know where I can buy one???!! Looks like a interesting plant to keep!!

[moxa]

U need to feed it with insert.

by watering them actually kill the plant faster.

My friends owns a farm and happen to saw the fly trap plants there.

Actually he works with AVA and cultivate the miniture type.

students use to buy them when visit the farm.

http://www.ohfarms.com.sg

cheers

Moxa

[Dispar_Anthias]

hehe the insect eating plants have sent to attract insect to them.. wonder if you start planting them.. bees and butterflies will start hooming into your place

[Tanzy]

Should ask Morgan. He is quite the expert.

[ozy]

Thank you guys/gals (not sure )

Will take all your advice into consideration.

Well, I have an insect problem where I live, 2nd floor and close to a park. So I was hoping that the plants can help a little. But nevertheless, I have always been fascinated with these canivorous plants (second to marine, of course).

[DragonGoby]

Should ask Morgan. He is quite the expert.

Wait Tanzy - you mean morgan grows flytraps too? Hehe .. bro ZeroCool and I grow them as well. Ozy, I've PM'ed you the URL of my carnivorous plant website, it's got pics of my preciousss there and also growing information for our climate.

I also suggest that you join the ICPS, membership is quite cheap and you get access to their seedbank as well.

Now, about your insect problem ... sorry to say, but flytraps and pitchers are not the best CPs to control a pest problem. Flytraps in reality rarely catch much on their own, while pitchers usually get loads of ants but once in a blue moon my larger pitchers will catch geckos as well. For flying stuff like gnats, mosquitoes and fruitflies what you need is the thread sundew ( Drosera filiformis)

Good luck growing them, CPs are a wonderful new dimension to a plant hobby - if you're not careful you'll slip into a collecting craze.