Question
Hi, I'm Tae, from Thailand. I recently ordered a red piranha fly trap from a local nursery(the plant was freshly repotted from 'vitro' into peat moss substrate). It has just arrived and seems to be growing in a clump of thousand traps. I currently give it a 'bright shade condition' for fear of it being sunburn(the plant is very small)and I use the water tray system. Are there any caution or advice I should take in caring for these delicate 'in vitro'-borned plant? When will the plant stop making millions of these small clumped leaves(and they never get big).

Answer
Hi Tae,

Did the plants have roots when you planted them?  What your are doing is fine short term.  As they adapt to being potted gradually move them to partial sun.  Be sure to water them with rainwater if your tapwater has a lot of minerals.

Right out of tissue culture you'll need to grow the plants for a time until they are big enough to separate.  That'll be when they are at least 3-4cm long.  They need to be big enough to handle, and have their own root systems.  Usually the plants stop dividing after they are out of their in-vitro solution since the hormones are gone.

Here's some other information you will need.  Go to our general care pages at http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets  Link to the Venus flytrap page for care information.  Also, since you live in a tropical country dormancy is going to be an issue for you.  Visit this site to help with this issue.  http://www.greenculturesg.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5047


Good Growing!

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