Question
QUESTION: I want to put my vft outside with my Drosera Spathulata  and Drosera Pygmy Scorpiodes. where should i put them. also they are potted together.And what are the steps on placing them outside or should I just put them out and leave them. earlier I said i got a Drosera pygmy scorpioides i put it in half peat moss and half perlite.it is on my windowsill and has 4 hr of light a day and i give it rain water. I do not know how to put a photo in but I can say how i am watering my plant they are all in a pot together with a built in tray. the brand of peat moss i used is miracle gro.


ANSWER: Hi Clara,

If you want to put those plants outside, that's fine.  Just make sure they are in a sunny location, and always sitting in a shallow tray of water.  Since you didn't say where you live, I can't comment on whether or not they can stay outside all year.

If you are having trouble with your plants after repotting, the brand of peat moss is the problem.  Miracle-gro fortifies their peat moss with fertilizer.  It's toxic to carnivorous plants.  It's better to purchase peat moss in a small bale since that is just peat with nothing added.

On a side note Clara, we've felt bad about rejecting so many of your questions, but they have been very difficult to read, or very incomplete in information.  It appears that English may not be your first language.  If this is true, go ahead and write in your native language, and we'll translate it on our end.


Good Growing!

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

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

QUESTION: I live in pa. and I couldn't find any other peat moss will i have to change it.I have a dunecraft there are a lot of plants. you guys say not to put them in terrariums but it come with one should i use it. Sorry about my typing i have a problem i can not spell and comprehend well

Answer
Hi Clara,

If you can't get the correct peat moss, you can always order premixed soil from a carnivorous plant nursery such as ours or another.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news (again, sigh...), but those seed kits from Dunecraft are practically a scam.  Take a look at the reviews by Amazon customers:  http://www.amazon.com/Grow-Your-Carnivorous-Creations-Terrarium/dp/B000AR84B0/re  

Growing carnivorous plants from seed is challenging for experienced growers.  This is not even taking into consideration that the big beautiful plants you see on the package of this kit are only after 4-5 years of ideal growing conditions.  Also, the seeds of North American varieties such as the Sarracenia in that kit need stratification, an extended period of cold and wet.  If all this wasn't enough, you have no idea how old the seeds are in those kits, and if they are still viable or not.  We've encountered so many people that did everything the instructions said in those kits yet had not one seed germinate.

Knowing this now, you have to ask yourself, "Do I trust the slick corporate marketing of this mass produced item, or do I trust a folks from a nursery that has been growing carnivorous plants for over 25 years, provides lots of information, and gives direct help to consumers free of charge such as here on Allexperts?"  

P.S:  Our DVD, "Grow Carnivorous Plants Volume 1, Venus Flytraps Can Grow Outside?" is $7.00 less than those kits.  We take you through a full course on growing North American carnivorous plants.  We even have a chapter devoted to growing them from seed.

Good Growing!

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