Question
QUESTION: Hi Jacob! My venus flytrap that I asked you about earlier just started to put up a flower stalk. It's like medium sized. I kinda want it to flower so I can see them (not really for the seeds) but I know that floweing really sapps their energy. I'm just wonderng how much of a difference is between a plant that flowered and one that didn't? Do you think i sould let my plant flower?

ANSWER: This is often a common misconception about flowers.  It doesn't necessarily sap the plant of energy.  Plants get their energy from sunlight.  As long as the flytrap is growing outdoors in full sun, it will have enough energy to produce flowers and leaves.  If you grow the plant in the shade or in the home, then it'll likely weaken the plant because it can't produce enough energy from photosynthesis to sustain flowers and leaves.  Without adequate sunlight, plants eventually die.

Since you didn't mention how you were growing your plant, I can't offer any recommendations as to whether or not you should cut off the flower stalk.  It all depends on how you're growing your plant.

For more information on growing flytraps, watch Volume 1 of the Grow Carnivorous Plants DVD series:
http://www.cobraplant.com/DVD

Good growing!
Jacob Faron

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay so where I live (zones 6-7) we're not getting too much sun yet but
my plant gets around 5 hours of direct sun with lots of bright indirect.I water it with rain water (obviously)about every 4 days. It's in a soil media of 1 part sphagnum peat moss and 1 part perlite. How's that?

Answer
That's much better.  Thank you!  Keep in mind that I can only help you to the extent of the information you provide.

I'm a bit concerned as to why your plant is flowering if you're in zone 6 and 7.  It seems a bit early, but since I don't know where you are located, I can't comment about your weather system.  Most growers in that type of zone don't see any flowers until late May or early June.  My nursery is in zone 8, and we are not seeing any flowers.  In fact, the flytraps are just barely waking up.  So I'm a bit concerned about how you brought your plant out of dormancy or if you're growing your plant indoors.  So given the information that you provided and the general inconsistencies I'm seeing in your plant based on my experience in growing these plants outdoors, I can't really direct you to a specific course of action, whether to cut the flower stalk or not.  But if you want to be safe, go ahead and cut it off.  You can also base your decision on the information I gave you earlier.  If you're growing the plant indoors or in shade, cut off the stalk.  If you're growing your plant outdoors in full sun, keep it.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin