Question
In winter my plants are in a sheltered area of my yard with mulch because here in Northwest TN we are closer to Zone 6 than Zone 7.  We have been experiencing unusually mild temperatures since Feb 1st and I had to uncover the plants to prevent mold and heat buildup.  Now my flytraps are beginning to put on new growth.  I always repot my plants each year and I try to do it before they break dormancy.  I put them in the premium mix recipe as suggested in your excellent e-book.

I'm uncertain about repotting this early because we will still have nights dipping into the 20's and we also have a lot of wind this time of year.  I have a greenhouse with daytime temp. at 72 minimum and nighttime temp at 60.

My question is do I repot now, and if I do repot now, should the plants go outside or in the greenhouse and acclimate them to outside later?  I want to do whatever is best for my plants.

Thanks very much for your help.

Answer
Hi Linda,

Leaving them outside is the better option.  It's not unusual for Flytraps to begin showing signs of coming out of dormancy anywhere from late February to late March.  Repotting now will be just fine.  It won't harm them at all.  Just watch your weather, and if you have another hard cold spell, be sure to cover them back up.

You can put the Flytraps in the greenhouse also, but when they start vigorously growing early they sometimes show odd symptoms.  We've frequently had Venus flytraps develop vegetative apomixis when they come out of dormancy early.  This is when the plants develop plantlets on the flower stalk.  Sometimes the mother plant dies when this happens.

Good Growing!

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