Question
I picked up a flytrap and potted it in a big pot of just peat moss.  I got a big bale of the stuff.  (Also have some pitchers and sundew on order from you).  I notice you suggest also 50% perlite for drainage for most of the species.  The peat seems to hold a lot of water, so I can see where it could get anaerobic.  But I don't really like perlite, seems a little unnatural, also means something more to buy.  In the wild, the plants would just grow in live moss and peat, but with roots not down into the anaerobic region I expect.  Wouldn't just plain peat be fine as long as I don't overwater or keep it in a dish of standing water?  That should keep the pot aerobic.

Answer
Hi Doug,

While you're on the right track by imitating the growing conditions found in the wild, be aware that not what works in the wild may not always work in cultivation.  While perlite doesn't exist in the flytraps natural habitat, neither do pots.  In the wild, a slow seepage of water constantly flows through the habitat.  This seepage helps aerate the soil and keep the nutrient levels low.

In cultivation, we don't have that type of system.  Growers can invest in drip systems, but a lot of first-time growers just don't have the know-how or the resources.  For this reason, we recommend the tray method since flytraps and other type of bog plants don't mind sitting in water.  This method is very easy for first-time growers to implement, but to ensure proper aeration, we also recommend to mix in perlite.

We recommend perlite because it's light.  You can also use pumice or silica sand. These products are much heavier, but they'll do the job.

If you prefer not to use anything but peat moss, you can certainly do that.  As you've indicated, you could simply top water the plant.  The primary risk is that if the soil ever dries out, the plant will quickly die.  As we move into the summer months, you may need to watch your plant very carefully.  Depending on your region, you may need to water you plant daily to prevent the soil from drying.  If you are attentive and don't mind doing watering your plant daily, then this is a viable option.  Just be aware that if you forget even for a day or two during the hottest days of summer, your plant might dry up.

So while using perlite might be unnatural, growing flytraps in pots is also unnatural.  When growing plants in cultivation, you always have to make changes to the care based on your microclimate, your horticultural skills, your financial resources and what you're willing to do.  In any case, there are always risks and benefits to every method of growing plants, and only you can decide if a particular method is right for you.  The method we recommend offers the fewest risk for the vast majority of first-time growers.  But if you have the ability to water your plants daily during the summer months, then using straight peat moss will work.

For more information about growing carnivorous plants, read our care sheets online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin