Re: Dormancy

Robert Allen (Robert.Allen@Eng.Sun.COM)
Tue, 2 Nov 1993 11:18:37 +0800

>>Speaking of flytrap dormancy... I have one flytrap which was absolutely
>>beutiful at the beginning of the summer. Unfortunately, it got hit by
>>a heat wave and lost most of its traps. In the weeks that followed, I
>>put it in "intensive care" by keeping it in a jar under a flourescent
>>"full spectrum" light.
>>After this unfortunate incident, its leaf size was about 1/4 to 1/8 their
>>original size. I figured the best thing for it was a vacation in the
>>refrigerator. This is the first time I have induced dormancy in anything,
>>as I grow mostly Nepenthes.
>>So my question is: How long do I keep it in the 'frig? I have had it in
>>since September 1.
>>Along these same lines: Can anybody out there suggest a cultivator of
>>Flytraps whose specimans are particularly exquisite and for sale?

Nope. Flytraps are classically under valued by most CP
collectors, as they are both "common" and more challenging
to grow well. There are a few forms which people are taking
an interest in, but overall you have to grow the plant well
yourself.

Where do you live? Unless you live in a chronically warm place,
you shouldn't have to put your plant in the fridge. This might
even further traumatize it if it's already weakened from the heat.

As an aside: I find that growing CP gives me, a midlling type-A
personality, the necessary introspection I need. I.e., some plants
MUST have their dormancy, and rushing them will only kill them.
Learning to live with the cycles of nature is one of the more
interesting aspects of CP growing for myself. Of course, I also
keep a few Nepenthes and tuberous drosera to tide me over the winter.