About Carnivorous Plants
Wow, a meat eating plant! Awesome, and perhaps a little scary? Well, we agree
that it's awesome. But, it certainly is not scary. Most carnivorous plants
eat insects. Some carnivorous plants will capture and consume frogs and other
small mammals. But, there are no known species of plants that are big enough,
or capable, of eating humans.....Whew!!!
The world of carnivorous plants is a fascinating one. And, it truly is a
world of plants. There are several hundred species of carnivorous plants
that can be found in their native environment all over the world. They are
found in warm and cold climates, too.
Carnivorous plants grow in areas with nutrient poor soil. Nature adapted
them to these poor soil conditions with the ability to capture (mostly) insects
to supplement the lack of nutrients in the soil. While gardeners and homeowners
are attracted to these plants for their fascinating insect trapping
characteristics, there is a wide range of attractive foliage and flowers.
Carnivorous plants can be grown indoors or out. They are very popular as
houseplants. Family members, young and old alike, will enjoy feeding the
plants.
Did you Know? Charles Darwin was fascinated by these plants and performed
many experiments on them.
Carnivorous Plants Trapping Methods:
Pitfall - The most common of these are "Pitcher Plants" pictured
at the top of this page. Nectar in and around the pitcher attracts the insects.
They enter and fall in.
Steel Trap - An insect enters the trap and triggers the plant to slam
the trap shut. Unless you are an insect lover, it's fun to watch. The best
known plant in this category is the Venus Flytrap.
Suction Trap - The trap looks like a bulb or egg, called a bladder.
The bladder has a hole with a trap door. Inside the bladder is a vacuum.
The insect is sucked into the bladder. These plants are commonly called
bladderworts.
Flypaper - Sticky hairs on the leaves capture insects. Plants are
either active of passive. Passive leaves do not move. Active flypaper leaves
curl up as they capture insects.
Lobster Pot - Hairs of the pot only allow one way movement, deeper
and deeper into the trap.
Propagation:
Most varieties are propagated by tubers, tuberous roots, or rhizomes. They
can also be propagated from seed.
How to Grow Carnivorous Plants:
Carnivorous plants are easy to grow. They grow in acidic, poor soils that
lack nutrients. They prefer moist to wet soil, depending upon the species.
While temperature ranges vary among species, most plants prefer a humid
environment.
Many people grow these plants indoors. The most popular is the Venus
Fly Trap. Use soil poor in nutrients, spaghnum moss, or peat moss. Do not
plant in any soils where fertilizer or other nutrients have been added. Any
fertilizer can burn the roots.
Most species require full sunlight. If growing as a houseplant, place in
the sunniest window. The use of gro-lights is helpful.
Most plants prefer moist to wet soils during the growing period. It is important
to know which your plant prefers in order to provide optimum growing conditions.
Make sure to inquire when you purchase plants.
Important: Fertilizer is not recommended and can be harmful to your
plant. Carnivorous plants are used to extremely poor soil conditions. Any
additional fertilizer can burn the roots.
Most carnivorous plants require a dormant period. Some plants will die back
right to the roots, or appear dead.
Feeding Plants:
Now the fun begins. Growing in extremely poor soils, the roots do not find
enough nutrients to survive. They must consume a regular supply of insects
for survival. Grown outdoors, the plants will naturally attract and capture
the insects it needs.
If you grow them indoors as houseplants, chances are (hopefully) you do not
have a lot of insects in the house. You may need to supplement their diet.
You can capture and use small insects. Or, you can use fresh, uncooked meat.
Tiny pieces of hamburg often work well. In a family setting, there is usually
no shortage of family members volunteering to feed the plants.
More Information:
Carnivorous Plant
Society - growing guides, etc
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