Question
Gentlemen,
1) VFT
2) Plant leaves turning black and no growth
3) Naturally spring-fed peat bog with approx. 8 hrs. sun
4) Zone 6b.
5) Description: most of my VFTs are either not growing and a few have almost given up it appears: the leaves are turning black and no new ones are growing.
6) Background: although most of my other CPs in the bog are doing quite well, the VFTs seem to be struggling. I had tested my spring water and it is not high, but not low either, in natural mineral content. I was wondering if VFTs are more sensitive than the other plants re. minerals in the water? I have bought a reverse-osmosis filter and plan on watering the plants from above to help leech the soil. Do you think this might help?
You guys are great: keep up the good work, and thanks for your help! Kind regards,

Answer
Hi Joseph,

From our experience here at the nursery Flytraps are among the most sensitive to hard water, particularly all red forms such as Akai Ryu and Red Piranha.  Your descriptions of symptoms are spot-on with hard water degradation.  Spring water in some parts of the country such as most of the west, will probably be fairly low in minerals due to geology.  In the east, particularly in the Ozarks, it will be very hard due to limestone.  Magnesium and calcium are always the big offenders for carnivorous plants.  Iron doesn't seem to bother them as much.  You didn't mentioned the actual readings you got on your water.  The water should be below 50ppm.  Our well water here at the nursery is around 120-130ppm and is too hard to use without treatment.

Use of R.O. water will help.  If you can produce enough, use of that with rainwater would be the best watering.  Your Venus flytraps are bit like the canary in the coal mine.  They often go first, but with enough time, your Sarracenia will start showing problems too.

Good Growing!

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