Question
Hey guys,

A while back, I emailed you saying that I skipped dormany for a couple of my flytraps.  Well, they finally started to show signs of withering this past autumn and winter.  Now that it's almost spring time here in San Antonio, TX, I've repotted them in fresh media, hoping it would stimulate them to grow again.  However, all of them are still showing signs of stunted growth, producing minimal leaves and underdeveloped traps that turn black before maturing.  Is it too late for these guys or is there some miracle (increase humidity? Superthrive?) I can do to nurse them back to full health?  Should I artificially induce dormancy or will that just tire them out completely?  I guess I learned my lesson.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Johnny,

Unfortunately, there really isn't much you can do.  This is one of the effects when flytraps are kept too warm in winter.  They become completely exhausted and wither away.  Trying to put them into dormancy at this point would also kill the plant because the plant doesn't have enough starch reserve to make it through.

The most you can do is make sure the plant is in full sun.  Even then, it may or may not make it.  We experimented with growing flytraps indoors.  After 18 months, they looked extremely unhealthy.  We put them back outside in full sun to see if they will regain their health, but they didn't make it.

Just chalk it up to experience and start over.  Fortunately, flytraps are relatively inexpensive.  For more information about growing flytraps, read our care sheets online:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

Good growing!
Jacob Farin