re: vfts
BREWER_CHARLES@ecomail.damneck.navy.mil
Wed, 14 Aug 1996 19:04:00 -0400
In regards to vfts, a lot of concern has been placed on the trap
itself. The trap is no more then a modified leaf. Leaves grow and die
on all plants, be it carnivorous or not. A vft trap is only good for
one or two good catches, then after that kiss it good by. If the trap
doesn't turn black and die, most likely it won't work properly
anyways. The larger the insect that the trap has to digest, the more
of a problem it will have. Yes, trap rot does set in. This is a normal
for every trap. If you don't want the trap to die, don't let the plant
catch bugs.
One the trap has expired and starts to turn a different color, cut it
off if it bothers you or do what I do and throw expired traps into a
pile of live moss. If your lucky, you will see a new plant grow from
the expired trap.
My seedlings are on there own as far as getting feed. If they are so
lucky to be able to catch an ant or small bug, great. If not, what the
hell, that's why the plant has roots. VFTs roots do function quit
well.
When the VFT grows large enough to be able to digest a fly, I stuff
every trap with FAT bugs every time they open up there mouth. Within a
few years, I have plants that have traps that are over 1-1/4"/(32mm)
in size. When they get that size, I feed them full size crickets and
the plant rewards me with lots of new healthy young plants growing
along side the mother plant.
FWIW, Three weeks ago, I divided a vft that was over 12 years old
that had over 80 mature traps on it, not counting the smaller traps.
After I divided the plant up, I had 10 new mature plants and a bunch
of small plants. What did I do to get a plant that large, I stuck the
plant in a pot of peat/sand, put it out in the sun, feed it FAT bugs
and let nature do the rest.
Charles
Va Beach, Va