Carnivorous plants are exotic enigmas. In addition to its magnificent and interesting appearance, its operation is as complex as its beauty (admit it, we all want one!)
If you’re looking for an interesting hobby, here’s a hint of one. Keeping them is not an easy task, and if you are new to species, start with the easiest to care for and at affordable prices.
Capturing other living creatures seems like a no-brainer for seedlings, as they are generally content with air, light, soil, and water. However, it is a natural adaptation, which developed according to the rules of evolution. Carnivores can evolve in places where nitrogen and other minerals are barely present in the soil, since they are provided by the digestion of small creatures.
There are over 1,000 different types and they are distinguished based on four traps: sticky, caged, sucking and ascidian. Their sustenance can be in the form of multiple organisms: from insects – such as flies and mosquitoes – to animals – such as frogs.
They are able to attract prey with flashy colors and scents, grab it, kill it, digest it and absorb the nutrients it offers. Digestion is carried out with enzymes, also present in the human stomach, for so-called active carnivores. Passives use symbiotic bacteria for decomposition.
If you’re interested in these fascinating plants and would like to know how to provide them with a nice home, check out the main information:
care
While there is an extensive variety, their demands are similar. Here, we will highlight general care.
Ground
These plants originate from regions with few nutrients. They live in swamps or on barren sandy soils – so they have been able to develop their trapping mechanisms over time.
Soon, placing them in a low nutrient soil is not a problem. The recommended is unfertilized white peat or high peat with low pH values, which you can add a little quartz sand.
If you don’t want to mix soil, you can also buy pre-mixed substrate for carnivorous plants. Just don’t use regular flower ones, as they contain a lot of minerals.
Finding the right location
Consider its natural origin. Most are used to full exposure to sunlight or light shade. At the garden, they need a sunny location and, indoors, a well-lit windowsill. Pay attention to places where the sun hits directly through the glass, as it intensifies the light that enters and reduces the humidity of the seedling.
Not all carnivores require full sun exposure. The family nepenthes – with an appearance similar to pitchers – are a good example of this, because they are native to the forest. Other varieties prefer terrariums.
See too
watering
You can be generous with your watering. Heath or wetland carnivorous plant varieties require a large amount of water.
Flooding is not a problem for most types. Find a suitable low container, fill it with an inch or two of water, when absorbed, wait a few days, then refill. Rainwater or well water are more suitable, but if that’s not an alternative for you, use distilled water.
Moisture
Very dry air is a problem. For those that will be positioned in the room, avoid placing them on a sill above an active radiator. Water sprays are also not recommended. For many, it makes the humidity too much and mold develops. An important exception is the pitcher plant – being from the tropics, it loves to be sprayed.
From the outside, the humidity can hardly be influenced and is usually sufficient for specific carnivorous plants. If the type you acquired requires a high level, grow it in a terrarium.
fertilizers
A fertilization it is unnecessary and may even be harmful to the species. They are prepared to survive in areas with few nutrients. Also, feeding should not be done too often, which could damage them. Even if your carnivore friends don’t catch anything, they’ll still survive. However, few leaves will develop.
If you want to ensure a good supply of food, let a fly or mosquito into the room every now and then, if it’s not an outside plant. Remember: they hunt their prey independently. If you want to try out the capture mechanism, you should feed live insects, which are not too big – as the animal movement stimulates digestion.
Planting
Seeding
For propagation by sowing, use fresh, high-quality seeds. Carry out the process in planting trays and keep them moist constantly. Since many, but not all, carnivores sprout in light, you don’t need to cover the seeds with soil, but place them in a bright area.
Species use all kinds of pollination mechanisms. Mature seeds are best picked from the stem because they are so small that it can be difficult to pick them from the ground. If you don’t want to grow them right away, store the seeds in a cool, dark place.
Propagation
In addition to sowing, they can also be propagated through seedlings. Many carnivorous plants develop side shoots, which can be cut off with a clean knife. Then plant them in suitable moist to constant moist soil and they will start to root.
Winter
Just make sure there is enough light and reduce watering. Not getting bugs during the winter is not a problem at all. The plants reduce your metabolism during your period anyway. During very dark seasons, a critical lack of light can occur, in which case all other factors – such as temperature and humidity – must be ideal.
For external carnivores the scenario is different. Not all types can handle the climate and frosts of some places, so you shouldn’t take precautions. Species originating from other climatic areas may die due to frost. Therefore, it is recommended to leave them in a greenhouse for the winter.
The (sub)tropics require less water during this time, but still require constant temperatures and lots of light.
Illnesses
Prone to diseases and pests, regular checking of their health is important. The most serious problems are mold and aphids:
Mold
Carnivore leaves can die and this is usually not a problem – because of the high humidity in the air and soil, mold can easily develop. The factor specifically applies to those positioned indoors, as the air does not circulate much. Good conditions for the problem are very hot or cold and dark rooms.
To prevent this, remove dead leaves regularly and provide ideal temperatures and lots of light. If there is still strong mold, you can treat it with fungicides or isolate the respective seedling to prevent it from spreading.
aphids
Aphids can also attack carnivorous plants such as Venus Flytrap or Sundew. As a solution, use ladybugs, which are natural enemies of aphids.. However, they may consider it prey, which can be a problem. If you don’t want to use insecticides, try other biological plant protection methods. You can use a nettle spray, for example.
The three most popular types:
1. Venus flytrap
This carnivorous plant has cage traps: when the insects stimulate the hairs on the inside of the trapped leaves, it closes and the insect is trapped. The indigestible part of the chitin will be blown away or carried away by nature. In the case of vases placed indoors, you can collect the element.
Winter hibernation is crucial in their care – the place should still be bright, but a little cooler, with a difference of up to five degrees. Avoid areas with drafts.
2. sundew
Drosera has tentacles with adhesive glands, to which insects adhere. When prey is captured, the respective leaf slowly rolls and releases digestive enzymes.
There are approximately 200 sundew varieties. Some are easy to care for, others are very difficult or even impossible. They require a high degree of light and humidity – with some species being perfectly suitable for terrariums. Because they develop naturally in Germany, they are resistant to cold weather.
3. Pitcher plant (Nepenthes)
Pitcher plants feature pitfall traps. With an opening at the top, which is protected from rain, it contains concentrated digestive fluids. Insects, amphibians and even small rodents are attracted to smells and colors. Because of the smooth and solid inner walls, the animals cannot escape.
These have high requirements regarding temperature, where 20 to 30 degrees is required. Pitchers require a lot of water and can be sprayed too – but watch out for waterlogging, which can be a problem.
*Via plantopedia