Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 14:08:48 +0100 From: wim.leys@vlaanderen.be To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg535$foo@default> Subject: Re: Doing it right
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Hi Muhammad,
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A VFT is an easy plant to grow, but it requires a few special=20
conditions :
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1) Soft water (rainwater, distilled water, ...)
2) High humidity (big tray filled with 2 cm water under the pot) When=20
the humidity is too low, the tiny traps on emerging leaves become=20
brown.=20
3) Wet soil ( " " " )
4) Acid, open (not compact) and poor (low in nutrients) soil. (The =20
composition I use is : 2 parts peat, 1 part washed coarse sand, 1 part=
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sieved pine-needels and 1 part perlite (expanded aluminium silicate,=20
looks like white grains of a volcanic stone). If you don't have=20
perlite, you can replace it with more sand). A FVT grows in everything=
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(pure Shagnum, pure peat, ...)=20
5) A dormant period during the winter (cold (0 C - 10 C), dry tray,=20
lower humidity)
6) A growing period during early spring (March) till late autumn=20
(October - November) (warm, tray with 2 cm water, high humidity)
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These conditions apply for most of the non-tropical CP's like=20
Sarracenia's, Darlingtonia, Drosera's ...
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> I just bought a Venus fly trap at a recent plant exhibition. I have
> had it for about a week already. Right now I notice that some of
> the leaves have got dark brown patches on them. Some traps also
> have these brown patches. I think the leaves are dry. I water the
> plants every day and leave at least a half centimeter of water in
> a tray I leave the pot in.
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You have recently bought your plant. That could mean that your plant=20
was forced to grow during winter (if you are living in the Northern=20
hemisphere). It is possibly now going into a dormancy period. The=20
leaves will change color : green -> yellow -> brown -> black.=20
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On the other side you say that the leaves are dry, that could indicate=
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that the rootsytem is damaged. Check the roots of your plant, perhaps=20
they are attacked by something. If so, clean up your plant, use a new=20
pot and a new soilmixture and repot your plant.
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Yet, the best way is to go back to the shop and=20
a) swap your plant for a healty one or
b) ask your money back and wait until spring before buying a new=20
plant.
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Wim Leys
Belgium
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