Venus Fly Trap!? I've never had one before: this one was given to me as a gift and I need some advise about it

Question

Hi, my landlord and I are great friends and we hang out alot. The other day he came over while I was researching venus fly traps on the net so I confessed to him that I've always wanted to set-up a terrarium for a venus fly trap but that I've never gotten around to doing it. Then the next day he found out that I was moving two hours away, he showed up at my door with a venus fly trap in a tiny pot as a going away gift. (sweet man) He offered to buy me anything I needed or wanted to set up my terrarium for the fly trap...I already have a 2.5 gallon tank with a glass lid, plus the plant, but we're shopping tomorrow morning for the rest of the needed supplies so that we can set up the terrarium tomorrow afternoon YET I'm still not sure of how to set up the terrarium nor am I sure of the exact care for venus fly traps!
any advise on setting up terrariums for venus fly traps
or any advise on the care of venus fly traps (humidity, food...)
would be greatly appreciated!
thanks ya'll!

here are the websites that I've been doing my research on:
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/flytrap.html
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/terrarium.html
http://www.pitcherplant.com/care_sheets/flytrap_care.html
http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq2000.html
http://www.cobraplant.com/venus-flytrap.html
http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/venus-fly-traps.htm
they've been very informative however some contradict each other and it always helps to talk to people about their experiences rather than rely on what you read on a website
thanks again!

Answer 1

Sorry to the above, but NO NO NO plant food or fertilizer of any kind. It is not popular belief. It is fact that fertilizer of any kind will kill carnivorous plants and that includes the VFTs.

Here you go. Here is the perfect website for setting up a terrarium for carnivorous plants.
http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/videos/terrariums-selecting.htm
Here is one for propagation of carnivorous plants:
http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/videos/carnivorous-plant-propagation-division.htm

Oh, I just noticed that you already have one the the expertvillage videos. They are great and will tell you anything you need to know about VFTs and other carnivorous plant.

Sarracenia and Cobra Plant are both excellent sources for you. I had to do all this research as well, but not before killing off several VFTs.

A few things to remember about VFTs:
1. They do not have to be planted in terrariums and they do love, love, love full sun. However if you put them in a terrarium then don't put them in direct sun light because it will fry your plants.
2. Never fertilize or feed your plant meat. You can catch or purchase insects for your plant like flies, fruit flies, and pieces crickets. Fertilizer will kill your plant lickety split.
3. A 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite is the ideal planting medium for retaining moisture. Never use anything containing nutrients or fertilizer. I can't stress that enough.
4. I don't keep mine in a terrarium because I chose to keep them outside so I doubt they ever hybernate in a terrarium. But just in case you ever have them outside they can tolerate temps as low as 20 degrees. However, like most hybernating plants, they will look as though they have died. I've tossed out several plants thinking they died before learning all the facts.
5. Another thing to remember if you keep them outside is that they will need to be planted in a porous pot like Terra Cotta and they will also need to placed inside a larger pot or saucer with about 3" of water to keep the soil moist. You would have to check the water daily to make sure it does not dry out.
6. VFTs are not as tender as some other carnivorous plant, but when watering make sure you use distilled water, filtered water, or at the very least, aged water. The chemical in the water will kill carnivorous plants over time.

Okay, I think that is it for now. I've emailed the terrarium site to you just in case you don't get back to your question before doing your shopping.

Good Luck and enjoy your plant.

Answer 2

The main thing to remember about Venus fly traps is that they come from boggy, marshy conditions, and that's what you're trying to replicate in your terrarium. Unlike most plants, fly traps like to be in a bit of water most of the time; light is important, but NOT direct sunlight, or it will cook inside the tank! Contrary to popular belief, they do not have to have insects to survive; they'll do very nicely on a good, balanced plant food. Just try to re-create a marshy environement, and your Venus fly trap will be happy.

Good luck!

Answer 3

they choose a good number of humidity. i offered one for exciting one summer season. It got here in this tiny plastic tube. I watered it and placed it interior the window for sunlight and humidity. I completly forgot approximately it for some weeks. while i ultimately did remember it, I went to get it from the window(questioning it may be lifeless). somewhat the choice. The moisture stayed interior the "tube" and it had grown extensive. With suitable care they might improve particularly properly. For moisture, i could use a below the tank heater(bought in puppy shops for reptiles), or over the tank lamp(be effective the wattage isn't too intense). i could place a bowl of water interior the backside of the tank(it you're applying the lamp) for moisture(it is going to evaporate and reason humidity). Or while you're applying a below the tank heater you ought to spray the terrarium. be careful with faucet water, as they are soft. I used to apply distilled water. throughout the summer season you ought to enable the terrarium to be around 70-ninety levels F. they choose a dormant point, approximately 3 months the place you ought to eliminate the warmth and allow the temp to drop. assume the "heads" to die, yet they'll come decrease back. you in addition to would ought to fertilize the soil, because of the fact the plant won't get the nutrients from bugs like it may in nature. One tip, be effective to no longer play with the foliage(the aspects that open and close). It takes potential for the plant to close, and unnessesary poking ought to reason it to die.

Answer 4

I'll try to point "spitfyr" your way tomorrow. RScott