QuestionWe have a Venus Fly Trap and the center section has turned black -- WHY?What can we do to help the poor thing out?
AnswerHi Georgia,
Improper light and keeping the growing media too wet are the likely causes of the blackening. Using hard or alkaline water will also do it.
The flytrap needs lots of bright, but indirect light. It should be planted in a small pot filled with sphagnum moss, not potting soil. The sphagnum moss should be kept barely damp at all times, but not wet, nor should it ever be allowed to dry out. There is not much margin for error.
It is best to use distilled water for flytraps due to their low tolerance for impurities.
Here are some other things you should know about this unusual plant:
High humidity is important. They do best in terrariums or in covered containers.
Don't feed it meat or touch the traps to trigger them. But do provide a supply of ants or flies. Remember that it takes about a week for a flytrap to finish digesting an insect, so you don't need to keep a constant supply of insects.
Venus flytraps have a three month dormant period in the wild when winter temps drop down into the 40 degree range. Because you can't provide those cold temps in your home, the dormant period is unpredictable and may not occur at all. That is a major reason why they don't last too long indoors.
If the plant stops growing and appears dead, then that is a sign that it may be entering dormancy. Remove it from the sphagnum moss, cut off the traps at the top of the bulb. Then wrap it in plastic and refrigerate it for 6 to 8 weeks. After that it can be replanted.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC
