Dionaea muscipula
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is probably the best-known carnivorous plant of all. It occurs exclusively within a radius of about 100 km around the city of Wilmington in the United States. Its distribution range lies in pocosin bogs located in the states of North and South Carolina.
These bogs have very nutrient-poor and acidic soils that are peaty and sandy. The habitats are permanently moist and always located in very sunny, open areas. In the wild, Dionaea muscipula is already threatened, yet it is available in almost every well-stocked garden center or hardware store, and sometimes even in furniture stores.
In its natural habitat, temperatures range from -10 °C to 40 °C. Venus flytraps require a winter dormancy for healthy long-term cultivation. During winter, temperatures should not exceed 12 °C.
These bogs have very nutrient-poor and acidic soils that are peaty and sandy. The habitats are permanently moist and always located in very sunny, open areas. In the wild, Dionaea muscipula is already threatened, yet it is available in almost every well-stocked garden center or hardware store, and sometimes even in furniture stores.
In its natural habitat, temperatures range from -10 °C to 40 °C. Venus flytraps require a winter dormancy for healthy long-term cultivation. During winter, temperatures should not exceed 12 °C.
Cultivation
Ideal Conditions
| Parameter | Suggestion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature (Summer) | 10 - 30 °C | Also withstands 40 °C but isnt recommended. Substrate should stay cooler |
| Temperature (Winter) | -10 - 12 °C | should below 12 °C in Winters to stay in dormancy |
| Light | 1500–2000 PPFD | Full sun in the outside is preferred, 8hrs or more. Wont live behind windows for too long |
| Humidity | 30–60 % | Needs no special humidity, below 70% often prevents mold issues |
Substrate & Fertilizing
| Parameter | Suggestion | Hinweise |
|---|---|---|
| Substrate | Peat, Perlite, Sand mixes or Sphagnum | One of the very few species which isnt recommended to have potted in anything else |
| Potsize | small pot | it crawls slowly forward and deeper into the pot. 9cm pot enough for many plants |
| Watering | Always keep very moist | Having a tray always filled with water |
| Fertilizing | 2-3 Osmocote per Pot | Osmocote is something which works well with Flytraps |
| Fertilizer Tolerance | medium | Doesnt need fertilizer if kept outside, it will catch insects for sure |
Unique characteristics
- Is available with many unique traits and mutations
- Often wont get red when roots are disturbed in the same season
- Flower stalks can be used for propagation
- Dormancy can be done in the fridge if no other good space is available
- Doesnt need any light below 5 °C
- Flowers occur between April - May, they can be cut to save the plant a lot of energy
- Monotypical Genus
- Rhizomes can be divided for propagation
- Dormancy in a bog often without any issues when temperatures arent below -10 °C
- Seeds remain viable only for a very short time and should always be sown immediately, does not require stratification
Galery
General Pictures
User Cultivatad Plants
| Bild | Conditions |
|---|---|
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Dionaea muscipula - GJ Shir Khan
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Temperature
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| Cultivated By: Tim | |
Common Issues
- Way too less light
- No Dormancy period
- Watering with tap water (lime !)