Re: VFT opinions
Robert Allen (Robert.Allen@Eng.Sun.COM)
Tue, 24 Aug 1993 09:00:36 +0800
>>I need some reassurance (I think). One of my venus fly traps has
>>started to get black discolorations on three of it's leaves. The
>>traps are large and so far unaffected. Is is a healthy plant
>>purchased earlier this year. I hope this is just it's way of riding
>>itself of a few older leaves and I am not about to lose it.
>>
>>I bought two. Both were dormant, and a bit bashed. I cleaned them up
>>and they have since thrived on Slack's recepie for vft soil (tho I
>>have no faith in the source of the sand bit). Interestingly a small
>>piece I trimmed from one of the plants has grown into a tiny vft
>>beside the parent (I didn't tidy up too good!).
Each leaf only has 4-6 open/close cycles in it, then it turns
black and dies. Presumably it's caught food in the interim,
which gives the plant energy for new leaves. Food is not
mandatory, but produces a more vigorous plant. This is why it's
important not to tease flytraps too much. So, you should be ok
as long as it's just a few leaves, and as long as the so-called
bulb stays white & healthy. In the winter the leaves may die
back also as the plant goes dormant.
>>
>>
>>comments?
>>
>>Also, I have just germinated a Drosophylla seed, I read these these
>>things hate being sprayed etc, but it has GREENFLY, should I risk it?
Hmm. Sorry, but I don't know.