Content
- Venus fly traps better not fertilize
- Never fertilize Venus fly traps
- Feed Venus fly traps additionally?
- Regular repotting provides enough nutrients
- Tips
The Venus flytrap supplies itself with nutrients
Venus fly traps better not fertilize
In nature, the Venus flytrap grows in very nutrient-poor locations - only in a limited area in the southern United States. If the carnivorous plant receives too many nutrients, it enters. Therefore do not fertilize Venus fly traps ever better.
Never fertilize Venus fly traps
One of the most common care mistakes in keeping Venus fly traps is regular fertilization of the carnivorous plant. Additional fertilizer inputs are not only superfluous, but often also cause the plant to enter.
Although it is often recommended to give plants a little diluted orchid fertilizer, this is not advisable. The plant concentrate contains more than enough nutrients in most cases. Additional fertilizers pose a risk of overfertilization.
Venus fly traps also derive their nutrients from the insects that they capture with their catch flaps.
Feed Venus fly traps additionally?
Many beginners believe that it is necessary to regularly feed a Venus flytrap. That too is not necessary. Even if there are no insects in winter, for example, the nutrient supply in the substrate is more than sufficient.
Venus fly traps store nutrients in the leaves. These release them into free, if not enough insects are present.
If you would like to feed the plant, use only live insects that are not too large. Do not feed too much at once. Keep in mind that the catch flaps of a Venus flytrap open seven times and then die off.
Regular repotting provides enough nutrients
Even if the roots of a Venus flytrap are not very pronounced, you should regularly plant the plant in fresh plant substrate. As this is mostly peat, it decays over the months and needs to be replaced.
Wrap the carnivorous plant in early spring.
By replacing the substrate, you provide the Venus flytrap with new nutrients.
Tips
With the irrigation water, the venus flytrap receives important minerals. Always pour only rainwater, as calcareous water is not tolerated at all. As a substitute use still mineral water and only in exceptional cases distilled water.