VFT in Central Florida zone 9 Tampa, area???

[venusflytrapfreak]

Hello everyone!

I just want to know if anyone has had good experience in growing VFT's in Florida??? Especially zone 9 area?? I have 30 bulbs right now and want to let them go dormant outdoors this year without putting them in the fridge. I also have a hard time finding sphagnum peat moss in bales around here too!! I hope they will start selling it in spring at Home Depot, Lowes...

I appreciate anyones help or comments about growing them here in Central Florida without putting them in a fridge for winter... It is still about 80F and 60s at night right now and a cool front is coming by the end of next week!!!

Thank you,
Ricky Haag

[jrfxtreme]

If you're worried about the temperatures being too warm, don't. I grow my flytraps outside year round in Miami and they love it. The temps only get down to the mid/high 30s maybe 2 nights out of the year and they do fine.

I think day length is the number 1 factor for dormancy, followed by cooler temps.

[venusflytrapfreak]

Thanks Jeremy!! That is good to hear you grow them with no problem!!! Miami is much warmer the up here in winter!! How long have you had venus's?? I am getting some Sarracenia minor soon and a B52, Green Dragon venus flytraps..

Thanks Ricky

[wadave]

I grow them here in Perth, Western Australia out in the greenhouse and they experience dormancy without problem.

The closest comparisson, weather wise, between here and the US would be Southern California, we are classified as zone 10 on the American scale.

Perth winters rarely go below 2 deg C during winter at night.

So zone 9 should be ok.

Dave.

[venusflytrapfreak]

Thank you for giving me the information, it sounds like they should do well in my area then. I will leave them out this winter and I won't do the fridge thing!!

Why do you have to use a greenhouse, if you are in zone 10??

Thank you,

Ricky

[mannyherrera]

Like Jeremy, I grow flytraps outdoors in Miami all year long without a problem. The lack of peat moss is new. For some reason Home Depot has stopped carrying the big bales. If you don't have a large collection you might have to use sphagnum or find another source for peat (which is not always easy).

[venusflytrapfreak]

Thanks!! I had to order some online ...just have to pay more for shipping , but I guess it's worth it!! I am glad to here that you guys can grow them with no problem in Miami... makes me feel better!!!

Thank you for the information!
Ricky

[wadave]

I have a greenhouse to increase the local humidity as Perth has an average summer humidity of only 40%, my greenhouse will generally keep humidity above 50% even on the dryest days which I've seen hovering around 7 - 10%.

I like to grow sarracenia and have just started collecting nepenthes which don't really enjoy such low humidity.

Perth also experiences quite strong to gusty winds during summer which is called "The Fremantle Doctor" and very quickly dries out humid loving plants. Perth is also know as one of the windiest cities in the world..... lot's of yatcht racing.

Other than that my CP collection loves the weather, though my cobras do struggle in the heat.

Dave.

[venusflytrapfreak]

Oh that is great!! I have always wanted to visit Australia with the diffrent climates and flora/wildlife!! I bet it is beautiful there!! I really don't have to worry about humidity that is for sure!!! It is humid right now and it is end of Nov!!! We are suppose to have a cold front come through next week, just hope it stays awhile!!! It's funny to really want cold air, but it's get hot and have long summers here in Florida!! but it can get pretty cold during winter for about a month!! Hope that is long enough for my Vft's..

Ok thank you for the reply and good growing!!

Ricky