Oh dear... my VFTs look SICK!!!

[Carito]

Here are pictures of my Walmart-purchased sick plants!!! I am very concerned and sad!!!
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BEFORE (2-18-2006)


click for larger image.

AFTER (now)

click the following for larger sizes:

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I am disconcerted over this. Look how terrible they look!
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here are my care methods:

1. I used to put my plants in brilliant, direct, strong Southern Californian sunlight for 2 weeks before placing them now in filtered/indirect sunlight.

2. I used to overwater my plants for 2 weeks because seeing how my first VFT Czech Giant was thriving from my care, I applied the watering techniques to the dry, store-bought VFTs as well: keeping them in a tray with a centimeter or so of water AND misting them gently with distilled/reverse-osmosis water a few times a day. But now, I don't overhead waterfeed them, just let them soak up the water in the tray.

3. At night it would get bizarrely cold, so I took them in every night and put them next to the window throughout the night, and placed them outside in the morning again.

And now my questions:

1. What are some physical signs a VFT has been over-watered?

2. What are some physical signs a VFT has been scorched by the sun?

3. What are some signs of a fungus/bacteria/insect attack?

4. How does a VFT look when it has been watered too long of a time with non-distilled, hard water?

5. Judging from these photos, what do you think happened to my plants?

6. What would be your diagnosis on recommendations on what I should do about this? (Also, any feedback on my care actions, advice/criticisms would be GREATLY appreciated)

Oh, and here is my Czech Giant venus fly trap that I have been growing under these SAME conditions, and it is FINE:
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<span style="font-weight: bold">Before:</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold">After:</span>

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Oh my goodness, thank you so much!!! (((Very very distressed and saddened))) I had read dozens of care/instructions sites for hours and hours, and tried to avoid "over-caring" my plants too... I hope it's not a fungus attack..

-Caro

 

[CaRnIvORoUs_FrEaK]

Ur plants all look fine to me. The browning of some traps is natural and they seem to be doing fine. Just put them back outside in the full sun and they will do extremly well. Also, if the temps are above 20F without artic winds ur plants will withstand the cold and it will make the plants stronger.

 

[Kirkscoastalcarnivores]

Carnivore freak is right, they look great to me, I wouldnt worry unless the bases start browning, I might remove that mossy stuff on top though

 

[JBL]

Maybe they don't like the names 'batty', 'dooty'?  

. j/k Caro--plants look ok.  Keep in mind that older traps blacken and die--just remove them.  And you may want to let the water evaporate from the tray before you add more.  My experience is that VFTs can be overwatered, but...that's not everyone's experience.  Make sure that your plants get enough light--they seem to be.

 

[vft guy in SJ]

They look fine to me. What you are seeing is the weaker old leaves dying off. As far as I can tell from the pictures, every plant has healthy new growth emerging from the center. This is a very good sign. The new growth will be better able to handle the conditions your plants are in. It doesnt really get cold enough where you are to present any problems with leaving your plants outdoors 24/7.

My advice is to go ahead and leave your plants outdoors full time. Spring is on the way and now is the time for your plants to get used to the more intense direct sun and heat they will be getting when summer gets into full swing.

The only pests I have ever had any problems with are slugs/snails and aphids. I use plain old snail killing pellets for the slugs/snails and Orthene for the aphids. Many people will tell you that the best way to kill aphids is to drown them by submerging the entire plant in water for several days. That works, but IMO its more hassle than its worth. Orthene is extremely effective and 1 application in early spring keeps my plants pest free all season. (note: Orthene stinks... that stuff could scare the flies off a garbage pit.. blehhhhh) Physical signs of aphid attack, aside from actually seeing the little buggers on your plants, are traps that come up deformed and looking like a piece of chewed bubble gum. Its pretty obvious when you see it.

Overwatering is not really an issue with VFTs. I generally keep mine in a tray filled about 1/2 way up the side of the pot. I let the tray run dry (which takes about 1 day in the heat of summer here) and refill. Misting is not necessary at all. I have even accidently triggered traps by misting.

I would repot all your wal-mart VFTs into a fresh mix of peat and coarse sand. Ignore all the perlite fans that boast how great that garbage is. Its ugly, it floats and it attracts algae like a magnet. Go to the local pool supply store and get a bag of pool filter sand. You can get like 50 pounds for 5 or 6 bucks.

Overall I'd say you are doing exactly the right things to keep your plants alive long term. Mainly, you are doing your homework.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Carito]

Quote[/b] (JBL @ Feb. 26 2006,7:54)]Maybe they don't like the names 'batty', 'dooty'?

. j/k Caro--plants look ok. Keep in mind that older traps blacken and die--just remove them. And you may want to let the water evaporate from the tray before you add more. My experience is that VFTs can be overwatered, but...that's not everyone's experience. Make sure that your plants get enough light--they seem to be.

That is hilarious!!

I know, the names of my plants are downright PREPOSTEROUS!! I named those intentionally because the names sounded so off-key, because I'd like to know that some people look at my plants and laugh their head off, "What?! Dooty? Meddy?! ONION!??! GINGER!??! BUBO??!? CELERY?!?!"

Further names to be delegated:

1. Booby
2. Zunny
3. Xanadu
4. Bummy
5. Voodoo

Thanks for everyone saying they look fine, but maybe the pictures didn't show parts of the leaves looking decayed/burnt to a crisp/ very leathery.

The plants are no longer GREEN, too, but fading into yellower, sallow hues. Originally when I picked them up from walmart, the greens were PURE green, and I think I've scorched them to yellow/black edges.


click and you'll see the LEATHERY TEXTURE!

<img src=http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/8462/dscn87953fw.jpg>
There are many other burnt/black edges of leaves, blades, not only traps.

Does anyone know how over-watering/ excessive sun looks like? I wish I had acclimated them.



^

 

[Carito]

Quote[/b] (vft guy in SJ @ Feb. 26 2006,8:13)]They look fine to me. What you are seeing is the weaker old leaves dying off. As far as I can tell from the pictures, every plant has healthy new growth emerging from the center. This is a very good sign. The new growth will be better able to handle the conditions your plants are in. It doesnt really get cold enough where you are to present any problems with leaving your plants outdoors 24/7.

My advice is to go ahead and leave your plants outdoors full time. Spring is on the way and now is the time for your plants to get used to the more intense direct sun and heat they will be getting when summer gets into full swing.

The only pests I have ever had any problems with are slugs/snails and aphids. I use plain old snail killing pellets for the slugs/snails and Orthene for the aphids. Many people will tell you that the best way to kill aphids is to drown them by submerging the entire plant in water for several days. That works, but IMO its more hassle than its worth. Orthene is extremely effective and 1 application in early spring keeps my plants pest free all season. (note: Orthene stinks... that stuff could scare the flies off a garbage pit.. blehhhhh) Physical signs of aphid attack, aside from actually seeing the little buggers on your plants, are traps that come up deformed and looking like a piece of chewed bubble gum. Its pretty obvious when you see it.

Overwatering is not really an issue with VFTs. I generally keep mine in a tray filled about 1/2 way up the side of the pot. I let the tray run dry (which takes about 1 day in the heat of summer here) and refill. Misting is not necessary at all. I have even accidently triggered traps by misting.

I would repot all your wal-mart VFTs into a fresh mix of peat and coarse sand. Ignore all the perlite fans that boast how great that garbage is. Its ugly, it floats and it attracts algae like a magnet. Go to the local pool supply store and get a bag of pool filter sand. You can get like 50 pounds for 5 or 6 bucks.

Overall I'd say you are doing exactly the right things to keep your plants alive long term. Mainly, you are doing your homework.

Cheers
Steve

That's good to hear the current/older leaves were dying off because they were weaker. When I had purchased them, I did see the tiny growth/new traps----> and these are dying off too. I guess I have to wait until MORE sprout because they would indubitably be stronger.

I will keep them outside 24/7 now, thank you for giving me that suggestion- I thought I was protecting my plants from the cold, but I don't want them to be "wussies" either LOL.

If I observe aphids, I'll look for Orthene @ Walmart , too.

"Overwatering is not really an issue with VFTs. I generally keep mine in a tray filled about 1/2 way up the side of the pot. I let the tray run dry (which takes about 1 day in the heat of summer here) and refill. Misting is not necessary at all. I have even accidently triggered traps by misting."

I'll let my VFTS run their absorption process from down below, thanks!

"I would repot all your wal-mart VFTs into a fresh mix of peat and coarse sand. Ignore all the perlite fans that boast how great that garbage is. Its ugly, it floats and it attracts algae like a magnet. Go to the local pool supply store and get a bag of pool filter sand. You can get like 50 pounds for 5 or 6 bucks. "

I have no faith in my repotting skills---- once I performed a leaf cutting on a walmart plant and the attempts were all failures--- I try as gently as possible when removing the plant from its current medium, but I believe too many roots are lost in the process when I do it, and the plant either enters shock or root trauma. I really would like to apply this tip, but maybe I'll wait a week or so.

I had no idea perlite was that over-hyped! I didn't know algae was that harmful, either. So goes with Scott's Perlite, then.

 

[BigCarnivourKid]

Hi Caro, I agree with Steve. The older leaves are dying off. They weren't necessarily weak. They just hadn't been adjusted to the sunlight and got sunburned. The new leaves will be adapted to the sunlight and will grow just fine.

 

[larry]

Agree with everybody else. Your plants look to be doing fairly well. Do watch for them unusually warm days we've had. The sun will heat up your small pots REAL fast. If you have shade cloth, use it.

 

[scottychaos]

that "LEATHERY TEXTURE" is SUNBURN!!
and its PERFECTLY FINE!!

really, seriously...its fine.
in fact, its GOOD for your plants.
its bad for those particulr leaves!
but its good for the plant overall..
(I dont think it really hurts anything..it just looks bad)
because burning leaves indicates the plants were NOT getting enough light before, and they ARE getting enough light now!
so those scorched leaves say you are *improving* the plant's growing conditions!

yes, those particular leaves are burned, and they wont recover.
but all the NEW leaves that sprout soon will be acclimated to the brighter light, and they will not be burned.
dont take those plants out of the bright sun!
after a few months, you will have so much new (unburned) growth that all the current burned leaves can be cut away, and the sunburn will be just a memory.

this happens to all my VFTs and Sarracenia EVERY spring.
because I have to overwinter my plants in the refrigrator, and they come out of dormancy in February, they have to sit inside from mid-February until about April...because February is still frigid winter around here.
the plants sit next a sliding glass door indoors, but its still less light than outdoors..
then, when its finally warm enough to put them outdoors 24/7 for the season, the leaves FRY in the direct harsh sun!
but its OK!!
really..its perfectly fine!
because new leaves soon sprout that do not burn,
and its *necessary* for VFTs to have as much bright, direct sunlight as you can give them..
some people try to *slowly acclimate* their plants to brighter light so the leaves dont burn, but I say "bah" to that..
put 'em right out in the full light!
let those leaves burn!
builds character!

seriously..
those leaves are burned.
its fine.
they NEED to be out in that bright sun.
those particular leaves only burned because they were wussy leaves that had never seen that much sun before..
your plant *as a whole* needs the bright light.
individual leaves are expendable to the greater good.

Scot

 

[Bugweed]

Caro, Scotty is a fantastic grower of VFT's in particular. if he says you are fine, like all the rest here and at CPUK told you, you are good to go! GROW DEM PLANTS!!!!!

(Worry wart!)

 

[Carito]

(mistake) oops. nothing here.

 

[Carito]

Quote[/b] (Bugweed @ Feb. 26 2006,10:23)]Caro, Scotty is a fantastic grower of VFT's in particular. if he says you are fine, like all the rest here and at CPUK told you, you are good to go! GROW DEM PLANTS!!!!!

(Worry wart!)

AHAHAHAHAHAHA, thanks!

 

[Carito]

Quote[/b] (scottychaos @ Feb. 26 2006,10:05)]that "LEATHERY TEXTURE" is SUNBURN!!
and its PERFECTLY FINE!!

really, seriously...its fine.
in fact, its GOOD for your plants.
its bad for those particulr leaves!
but its good for the plant overall..
(I dont think it really hurts anything..it just looks bad)
because burning leaves indicates the plants were NOT getting enough light before, and they ARE getting enough light now!
so those scorched leaves say you are *improving* the plant's growing conditions!

yes, those particular leaves are burned, and they wont recover.
but all the NEW leaves that sprout soon will be acclimated to the brighter light, and they will not be burned.
dont take those plants out of the bright sun!
after a few months, you will have so much new (unburned) growth that all the current burned leaves can be cut away, and the sunburn will be just a memory.

this happens to all my VFTs and Sarracenia EVERY spring.
because I have to overwinter my plants in the refrigrator, and they come out of dormancy in February, they have to sit inside from mid-February until about April...because February is still frigid winter around here.
the plants sit next a sliding glass door indoors, but its still less light than outdoors..
then, when its finally warm enough to put them outdoors 24/7 for the season, the leaves FRY in the direct harsh sun!
but its OK!!
really..its perfectly fine!
because new leaves soon sprout that do not burn,
and its *necessary* for VFTs to have as much bright, direct sunlight as you can give them..
some people try to *slowly acclimate* their plants to brighter light so the leaves dont burn, but I say "bah" to that..
put 'em right out in the full light!
let those leaves burn!
builds character!

seriously..
those leaves are burned.
its fine.
they NEED to be out in that bright sun.
those particular leaves only burned because they were wussy leaves that had never seen that much sun before..
your plant *as a whole* needs the bright light.
individual leaves are expendable to the greater good.

Scot

I read that to myself over and over again.

That was extremely helpful and assuring!

a huge, mega, uber "THANK YOU!!!!"

 

[Carito]

Dear everyone, thank you for consoling me!!!

And that extensive help!!! How spiffy.

here is somethign to make you laugh, as my thank you:

<img src=http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/7209/dscn87647yw.jpg>

<img src=http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/4115/dscn87244vw.jpg>

 

[seedjar]

Hehehe... I think that VFT 'Giraffe' and VFT 'Celery' need to become accepted cultivars. Your plants look pretty good for garden-center finds - I'm sure you'll have lots to be proud of by the time the growing season is here.
Happy growing!
~Joe

 

[JB_OrchidGuy]

Plants and Avitar look great!

I especialy like onion. His color is wonderful.

 

[scottychaos]

Quote[/b] (JB_OrchidGuy @ Feb. 26 2006,7:28)]Plants and Avitar look great!  

I especialy like onion.  His color is wonderful.

Onion's "wonderful color" is the sunburn!

yes, its a nice bronze color..but new leaves wont have that color, because they wont burn..as long as all those VFT's stay out in full direct sunlight.

Scot

 

[scottychaos]

Carito,

I notice from your profile you are in LA, what do you consider "really cold"??
if its above 35 degrees F, keep them outside!

you will have to consider dormancy later this year, but you dont have to worry about that right now..
how cold does it get in LA during the winter?
do temps drop to the 40's or 50's at night in the winter?
if so, you can probably just keep your plants outdoors every day of the year..

Scot

 

[Carito]

Quote[/b] (scottychaos @ Feb. 27 2006,9:37)]Carito,

I notice from your profile you are in LA, what do you consider "really cold"??
if its above 35 degrees F, keep them outside!

you will have to consider dormancy later this year, but you dont have to worry about that right now..
how cold does it get in LA during the winter?
do temps drop to the 40's or 50's at night in the winter?
if so, you can probably just keep your plants outdoors every day of the year..

Scot

Yes indeed, Onion's wonderful rosy colour is due to a massive 3rd degree sunburn!!!

hoohoohoho!

I no longer live in LA- I use to go to school there (former Bruin) but now I'm at home in Cerritos, about 40 minutes away, BUT, I still live in the "LA Basin" and the weather here is typical of LA weather, if not, virtually the same. (Perhaps 1 degree warmer on average)

Regarding cold, weather, it's always hot here, but the very first 6-7 days I had my Venus Fly Traps, the LA Basin suffered a streak of bizarre cold nights, dipping to low 40's.

Because my store-purchased VFTs did NOT enter dormancy, I was worried that one of those cold nights that it had been outside, it entered dormancy, which was only odd because during the day it was hit by a spell of blazing, furious sunlight.

But it turns out most were just sunburnt (which I learned to be a good thing).

The weather now (my zip code is 90703) according to weather.com is low 60's during the day at the very coldest, to a low 70's at the hottest, but I can be wearing SHORTS and a wifebeater outside when weather.com states "61 degrees", so I have no idea if that's inaccurate [which would hardly be the case], or I have a nice lipid bilayer of insulation which prevents me from feeling cold.

Yes, starting from last night, I kept my plants outside in the cold, I am de-wussifying them!!!