The Venus Fly Trap (usually referred to as the VFT in this group) grows
wild in the Carolinas. A winter rest period is necessary for continuous
healthy growth. I have my plants outside for the winter, dug into a hole up
to the rim of the pot and then under a foot-thick mulch of dead leaves.
Fertilizer isn't necessary, and may be detrimental especially when the plant
wants to go dormant during this time of year. During growth in the spring
and summer, I have mine outside in full sun. Sphagnum moss holds lots and
lots of water. You should be letting the tray of water go dry for a few
days before rewatering. Put only enough water in the tray so that it will
go dry in 3-4 days. Plants in nature usually grow in sandy soils. I'd
repot next spring into a soil of sphagnum peat moss and silica sand (about 1:1
ratio), and then keep it outside to give it the maximum amount of sun. If
the soil smells bad, I'd repot now. Don't use Hyponex 'peat moss'. Full
sunlight is one of the requirements for most carnivorous plants except for
Pinguicula and Utricularia; or at least plants grown in full sun look better
and are healthier.
-- Don Burden New Albany, Indiana, USA donb@coplex.com