QuestionHello, Thank you for taking my question. Last winter 2007-08 my husband bought me a couple of venus flytraps from a local hardware store (before I knew about you guys). I found you while doing research on their care. I planted them outside in my man-made bog and they have been doing great all summer. So far we have had frosts and a few mild freezes here in South Eastern Michigan Zone 6-5. I was wondering if I should dig them up and pot them and place them in the garage, or could I cover them with some Styrofoam, like some people do with their roses, or just heavily mulch them. My pitcher plants did just fine last winter with no special treatment, but this will be the 1st winter for the flytraps.
Thanx in advance, sincerely Linda Kaluza
AnswerHi Linda,
We actually have customers in your area and in similar USDA zone climates who have successfully overwintered their flytraps outdoors. We also have a colleague in Toronto who successfully overwintered his North American carnivorous plants, including flytraps, in his bog garden. And he's in zone 4! So it is possible if you follow the basic winter care protection.
I'm not familiar with using Sytrofoam, but it should do the job in preventing rapid temperature swings and protecting your flytraps from freezing winds. We generally recommend mulch (pine needles, aspen bedding, straw or wood chips). Our colleague in Toronto used at least 8 inches of mulch. Your region doesn't get as cold, so you could do any where from 4-6 inches. Otherwise, the Styrofoam should be fine.
Before placing the mulch down or covering your plants with Sytrofoam, spray your flytraps generously with a sulfur-based fungicide. Based on your recent weather patterns, you might be safe in placing your mulch down within the next week. Just make sure your daytime temperatures are in the 40s and you've had a series of overnight frost. This is to make sure your plants are indeed dormant.
In spring, uncover your plants and spray again with a sulfur-based fungicide.
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
