What's new
TerraForums Venus Flytrap, Nepenthes, Drosera and more talk

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

New Venus Fly Trap Owner! Just got my plants right now :D

Hello Everyone!

First time posting, but I've been reading posts and know a lot of you are super knowledgeable! :)

I just got my first Venus Fly Traps today (2). I've been really excited!

They are small, one has 5 tiny traps and looks like 1 new one is forming, the highest one is one inch tall.

The other plant has the same number of traps with the highest trap being 1.5 inches tall. One of the closed traps is turning black at the tip and another trap has the sides of stem turned black.

I removed the plastic cup and plastic covering the dirt.. Now it's sitting on my desk because it's cloudy today. They look so fragile!

Was it ok to remove the plastic cup completely? It's not sunny outside so I figured this would be a good way to ease it into a new environment while its shady and tomorrow there will probably be more sun. It's also getting "new" air.

Thank you for your help!
Worried New VFT Owner,
Nelly
 
It's totally OK to take the cup off, venus flytraps don't need the humidity. But I'd definitely put them outside anyway even though it's cloudy out. It will do better outside and cloudy, than inside with no sun. It will still get the sun it needs even though it's cloudy out. I actually prefer getting plants on cloudy days; It allows me to put them outside right away without having to worry too much about the leaves burning too bad.
 
It's totally OK to take the cup off, venus flytraps don't need the humidity. But I'd definitely put them outside anyway even though it's cloudy out. It will do better outside and cloudy, than inside with no sun. It will still get the sun it needs even though it's cloudy out. I actually prefer getting plants on cloudy days; It allows me to put them outside right away without having to worry too much about the leaves burning too bad.

Thank you! :) I have now put them outside.

How long does it take for them to have any noticeable growth? And should I worry about the black?
 
Black isn't too much too worry about as long as there is plenty of green! It is natural for older parts of the plant to die back. And it shouldn't take too logn at all for your plant to acclimate and start putting out new growth!
Keep us updated, and welcome ot the forums!
 
Thank you! :) I have now put them outside.

How long does it take for them to have any noticeable growth? And should I worry about the black?

Of course! If you notice that the following days become sunnier and really hot, move them to an area where they'll get a little bit of shade as well as sun to protect the leaves from burning while they acclimate. I myself usually do this for about a week before moving them into full sun all day - every day, and it works well for me. Blackening is usually normal, especially after being shipped to you; it has just been in the mail for a few days with no light, that doesn't happen to them in nature :). So I would assume the blackening yours have is from being shipped, but a photo of your plants would help so that I and the other forumers here could give you a better, more straight answer. For me it usually takes about a week and then I'll notice they've "moved" but it really depends on you and the plants growing conditions. Just keep and eye out fot new growth, and a close eye on it once it emerges, if that starts to turn black, then that's usually when you should worry about them. New growth should never turn black. :) Hope I've helped and look forward to updates, as well as seeing some photos of your new plants! I'm a Venus Flytrap lover myself, they're my favorites of all the carnies.
 
Thanks a lot! Yes, both of your replies were very helpful. :)

Meet my New Plants. lol

Both Together
<a href="http://s1169.photobucket.com/albums/r511/PYGallegos/?action=view&current=IMAG1683.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r511/PYGallegos/IMAG1683.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Bigger One -
If you number the traps from left to right, Left being one and Right being 5,
# 1 has the black tip and # 4 has black on the sides of stem.
<a href="http://s1169.photobucket.com/albums/r511/PYGallegos/?action=view&current=IMAG1684.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r511/PYGallegos/IMAG1684.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Smaller One
<a href="http://s1169.photobucket.com/albums/r511/PYGallegos/?action=view&current=IMAG1685-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r511/PYGallegos/IMAG1685-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
Welcome to the forum!
your plants look great..looks like you got them from a good, reputable nursery!
that's the way to go..

In this photo:

IMAG1684.jpg


the black & yellow coloring on two of the leaves isnt anything to worry about..those are just "old" traps that are dying off, just due to old age..thats perfectly normal. An individual "leaf", with its trap, has a finite lifespan..old traps die off, new ones take their place..Being a new VFT owner, you might think this is shocking, but the best thing to do is simply cut off those two leaves! ;) they arent doing anything for the plant anymore, those traps wont close, and new traps should be coming out soon..you dont *have* to cut them off, its fine to leave them, but most people would, just to make the plant look nicer..it matters little to the plant either way.

keep them in a tray of water (distilled, rain, or RO water), and in full sun, and you should be seeing new growth within a few weeks..

Scot
 
Welcome to CF!
 
Thanks a lot for the welcomes and advice. I greatly appreciate it. So far, the plant seems to be happy and it looks like there is anew growth aside from the first growth I had seen! :) I look forward to posting pics of them in a few months to show their growth.
 
  • #10
Welcome to terraforums! It looks like those took the shipping good. The plants here are just now waking up, as you can see those newest traps are larger and more upright than the rest... Perfect time to pick them up IMO. They are growing in pretty strong sun here in Tucson, Az so they should be able to go out to some pretty strong sun, just keep an eye on them for burning, or take the safe method as mentioned above. Also, I'd water them top down lightly just to give the media a nice jump start watering.
Andrew
 
Back
Top