Question
Hi,
I was just wondering about the pros and cons of using Osmacote
on my Venus flytraps and Sarracenia. Would you recommend it's use.
Advice would be really appreciated. Thank you

Answer
Hi Steve,

Osmocote can be very effective in helping Sarracenia seedlings to mature faster.  Here's an article discussing it at length:  http://www.carnivorousplants.org/howto/Feeding/SarraceniaFertilization.php

I do not recommend Osmocote with Venus Flytraps.  They tend to be very sensitive to fertilizer, and you would most likely kill them.  A very dilute foliar fertilizer can be used on seedlings, but you have to be very careful.  We've always found in the nursery that when customers write us with soil issues, and that any kind of plant food or enriched soil may have been used, Flytraps are always the first to die from it.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.growcarnivorousplants.com