Question
I just got a venus fly trap last week. I have it in a fish bowl a small one because they are only babies. I cut half of lastic cover off the cd case the see through plexi glass. And i cover my venus fly trap i leave about half an inch open for air. It get really mist inside. I live in Florida south and i need help on raisin it. EVEN THE BABIES ARE TURNING BROWN I PUT RAIN WATER AND I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO! HELP

Answer
Hi Ramon,

If everything is currently turning brown at this time, then just say a few final words for them.  It sounds like they have already rotted out from the excessive humidity in the fish bowl, and from probably being in poor condition already when you got them.  They are going to be too far gone unless you have individual plants that are still normal looking.

If by some chance one is still alive, you need to take it out of the fishbowl and transplant it to a new pot with a mix of 50/50 peat moss to perlite. (Never use potting soil.)  Wet the mix first with rainwater.  After you transplant it, move it to a window with bright, indirect light.  Keep a clear cup  over the plant at first.  (This is going to be just a temporary thing.)  Keep the pot standing in about 1/2" of rainwater.  After  week begin propping up the cover to let some air in.  Open it a bit more each day until the plant can handle normal room humidity.  (Since South Florida is very humid that should happen quickly.)  Once it can tolerate normal humidity, move the plant to a sunny window.  After about three weeks you can move it outside.

Let's look to the future now.  You are already part of a huge group of people who have killed their first Venus flytrap due to the completely inaccurate growing instructions that often come with the mass marketed plants.  Let's show you the right way now.  Go to this link:  http://cobraplant.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=7&chapter=1
Here you'll find accurate directions on growing flytraps.  Venus flytraps are not houseplants.  They are outdoor plants.  They do best grown as outdoor container plants.  Our nickname for terrariums with Venus flytraps are "Death Cubes".  They should do fine in Florida.  Watering with rainwater like you were doing is a great thing since most of Florida has very hard water.  Also, buying a plant from a reputable dealer will help too.  That way you have a healthier plant to start with that doesn't need lots of special care to nurse it back from the brink of death from being in one of those plastic cubes.

After reading our care information, write us back here at Allexperts if you have additional questions, or need clarification on the care info.

Good Growing!

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