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!

I just asked this in the "garden" section because that's where yahoo suggested my question go however I really doubt I'll get any answers from that section ... I figure venus fly traps are kinda both a plant and a pet (because you have to feed it - lol) so I might as well re-post the question in my home forum, the pet section
hope you won't mind

here are the websites that I've been doing my research on:
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/flytrap.h...
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/terrarium...
http://www.pitcherplant.com/care_sheets/...
http://www.sarracenia.com/faq/faq2000.ht...
http://www.cobraplant.com/venus-flytrap....
http://www.expertvillage.com/interviews/...
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

Have you seen these websites on them?
http://www.world-of-carnivores.com/PDF/FlyTraps.PDF
http://www.the-venus-flytrap.com/venus-flytrap-help.html

I know they'll do better if grown outdoors, and you should give them water other than tapwater.

Don't use ground meat for "food" - they react by closing, but when they don't sense movement, they'll open back up without digesting the meat. And don't "play" with them too much - the trigger hairs are sensitive, and they'll close up (which is neat to see), but doing this too often stresses the plant. I've had them last a few years, and they'll bloom in the spring (mine blooms around May).

Answer 2

They need a lot of humidity. I bought one for fun one summer. It came in this tiny plastic tube. I watered it and put it in the window for sun and humidity. I completly forgot about it for a few weeks. When I finally did remember it, I went to get it from the window(thinking it would be dead). Quite the opposite. The moisture stayed in the "tube" and it had grown huge.

With proper care they can grow fairly well. For moisture, I would use a under the tank heater(sold in pet stores for reptiles), or over the tank lamp(be sure the wattage is not too high). I would place a bowl of water in the bottom of the tank(it you are using the lamp) for moisture(it will evaporate and cause humidity). Or if you are using a under the tank heater you could spray the terrarium.

Be careful with tap water, as they are sensitive. I used to use distilled water.

During the summer you should allow the terrarium to be around 70-90 degrees F. They need a dormant stage, about 3 months where you should remove the heat and allow the temp to drop. Expect the "heads" to die, but they will come back.

You also need to fertilize the soil, as the plant will not get the nutrients from bugs like it would in nature.

One tip, be sure not to play with the foliage(the parts that open and close). It takes energy for the plant to close, and unnessesary poking could cause it to die.

Answer 3

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 4

They need lots of direct sunlight and humidity.

No soil though. The moss that starts with an S. I can't spell or pronounce it, but it's listed on care sheets.

They don't need to be fed. They do get nutrition from the moss and water, and only an occasional "supplement" with bugs. I didn't know that and overfed mine and killed it.

They aren't indoor plants. I've killed 3 trying to keep them on a sunny window.

So, after killing for of them I've given up. I know what not to do, but don't have lots of success.

Good luck

Answer 5

are you sure he is just a landlord seems a little to nice, but anyways you need dirt a small amount of mulch. plant it put the lid on it in a partially sunny area and keep moist with a spray bottle. feed it flys or a cricket every now and then they need the nutrients.gl....

Answer 6

i actuly had one it was pretty small and cheap only five or 6 dollors they need water but only enogh to kepp the soil alittle dry amnd a little wet basicly not to wet or dry and kepp them in the sun but not for long it might kill them but other then that i dont rmbr

Answer 7

google it