Things You'll Need:
- Sphagnum Moss
- Terrarium
- Sunlight
- Insects
- A good eye
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Step 1
First of all you will need to know what characteristics to look for when you are buying a plant. These plants naturally grow in a hot humid environment usually in a type of moss called Sphagnum Moss. To buy and care for a Venus Fly Trap correctly you will need a nursery that has duplicated these conditions. Also look into the actual traps themselves and look for a pink tone, this indicates that the plant is healthy. Also most of the Venus Fly Trap should be green, not brown and decaying.
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Step 2
Ok so you have bought the plant. I recommend placing a Venus Fly Trap into a terrarium to duplicated the humid environment. If you must place it outside of one use a dish underneath the pot to supply the plant with plenty of water.
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Step 3
Use sphagnum moss, usually in a mixture of 70% to 30% of coarse pumis. This is the plants natural growing conditions. You will also need to keep this well watered, it should be moist to the touch though not squishy. If you let the moss remain water logged for long you invite fungus to start growing, and no one wants that for their Venus Fly trap care.
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Step 4
Next you will want to refrain from fertilizing your Venus Fly trap for proper care. These plants receive all their nutrients from the insects they eat. Also do not trip too many of the traps manually, this will reduce energy the Venus fly trap has, the sensitivity of the trap itself, and the longevity of the trap. Place the plant where there is plenty of light, but NOT direct sunlight.
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Step 5
Here is what you should NOT do for your Venus Fly trap care. Never feed the Venus Fly Trap hamburger. EVER! Why? The fat in the hamburger is not meant for the plant to digest and will kill the Venus fly trap if you feed it too much. Also Tap water should be used sparingly, Venus Fly Traps are notoriously touchy when it comes to chemicals. If you must use tap water let it sit for 24-48 hours to allow the chlorine and other chemicals to evaporate out of it then water your Venus Fly Trap.
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Step 6
A Venus Fly Trap naturally has a three month dormancy period where almost all the foliage dies back. When this occurs place the plant in an area that has a temperature no lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit. A Venus Fly Traps growing season is between May and October, plan accordingly.
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Step 7
Trimming is very important for the care of a Venus Fly Trap. Dead traps and leaves should be removed to prevent fungal infections. Also during the spring months the Venus Fly Trap may send up a flower. Most people cut this flower stem off, this encourages trap formation.
