QuestionHey, just a quick question concerning VFT care.
I recently received a South West Giant cultivar. It came potted in what i think is a 3:1 peat:sand mix. And i am watering it with rainwater that i collect. It was bought from Southwest Carnivorous plants and arrived in excellent condition.
I live in Northern Ireland which has a very mild climate. Precipitation and relative humidity are both very high but temperatures and bright sunlight arent great; average high and low for August is 18C and 11C respectively. Overcast conditions are common. The hardiness rating is 8/9.
I keep it on a large south facing windowsill which receives light for the majority of the day.
My question is this: In your opinion, do you think my VFT will be better suited on the outside windowsill where humidity and possibly light quality will be better, or on the inside windowsill where it will be a little warmer?
I worry that the lower temperatures will make the plant enter dormancy early and possibly reduce growth.
Also is it possible for a flytrap to overeat as my flytrap seems to be a rather prolific predator, it is able to catch several flies per day if left out long enough.
Any advice you could provide would be much appreciated,
Mark
AnswerHi Mark,
Your summers are fairly cool, but overall I would recommend having your plant outside. Photoperiod more than temperature is what triggers dormancy. Your plant is going to get much better light and experience a more natural season. Your climate is very similar to our Pacific coast here in Oregon, and I've seen some very nice flytraps grown in that area. Try putting some pea gravel on the top of the pot. This will help warm the soil some. Also, Venus flytraps are completely capable of handling an Irish winter.
As long as the plant is catching it's own insects it will be fine. They have a way of regulating their capturing. For more information on growing Venus flytraps visit: http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
