Question

VFT   QUESTION: Hi,
I purchased my first VFT 4 month ago (Big Mouth), and last 2 month i noticed that any trap that touches the soil turns black and dies out after few weeks (starting with the point that touched the soil).
I grow it outdoors in the 50-50 mix of Peat moss and Perlite, it gets about 4 hours of direct sunlight(3:30Pm on, and water it with Arrowhead Distilled water(steam distilled only).
I live in Northern California(pretty humid and no winter).
Am i doing something wrong ?

Thanks in advance
Best Regards

ANSWER: Hi Karen,

Given that you've had your plant for four months, my first impression after seeing your photo was that you need to give it more light. The leaves are rather long and pale.  The traps have almost no red in them.  Ideally the plant would have large petioles, erect leaves, and big traps with lots of red inside.  

The plant should get 6 or more hours of direct sunlight.  So my primary recommendation is to give your plant more light.  Other than that, your watering and soil are fine.

For more information about growing flytraps, read our care sheet online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

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

QUESTION: Thank you very much for reply, i was wondering if i can use any kind of light fixture to add more intense light like lights for reptile or full spectrum aquarium lights(T5 or T8). The way my apartment is oriented its the most sunlight i can provide.
Thank you in advance.

Answer
A 40-watt compact fluorescent bulb will do the job.  Use the standard cool white bulbs.  There's no need to pay more for full-spectrum.  You won't see any significant difference in growth for the extra money.  Place the compact bulb approximately 8 inches above the plant to start with.  Use a timer to keep the light on 12 hours per day.  Keep in mind that we're already in fall and your plant will likely go dormant from the natural decrease in light and temperature.  

Good growing!
Jacob Farin