Hello. I purchased 2 Venus Fly Traps in April 08. One has been been well and the other died (or I killed it ). Anyway, the VFT has been and is still outdoors on the north side in full sun within a little mini-bog hanging basket. It is still in it's original pot and producing new traps. With fall coming, I understand it needs a dormancy period, although I am not certain how to provide this. Allowing it to winter in the crisper of my refrigerator has been suggested. What do you recommend for it's winter season and how should I attempt to achieve that? Thank you.
Your VFT can stay in the container you purchased it in for a while. Or you may pot it up just keep in mind it needs a terrarium- style setting. Your VFT does need a dormancy period of at least 3, up to 5 months at a temp of 45-50 degrees Usually it's time to 'force' them into dormancy around November- December. You can do this two ways. One would be to place terrarium style pot and all into a cool area such as a garage that is slightly lit. Just check on it occasionally to remove blackened traps. A very light watering will occasionally be required but not so much to induce rot. A second way would be to un-pot the bulb and trim back foliage almost to the bulb. Dust with a powder fungicide, wrap bulb in moist spaghnum moss and place in a plastic bag in the fridge. Check on it occassionally to assure there is no rot or fungus forming. If so, sprinkle more fungicide after cleaning up areas as much as possible. With both methods, after period of dormancy has been completed (usually March/ April) Bring it back out and treat it like you did before. If you removed it from it's pot you will pot it into either spaghnum or a 60% peat moss/ 40% perlite mixture. Adding a layer of spaghnum moss over the top will be beneficial in keeping more constant moisture. As for your 'dead' VFT- always check the bulb before discarding- if it is still a creamy- white, it should re-sprout. If it is mush- it's safe to say it's gone. Thanks for visiting our site! Diane
