B52 help please??

[katy]

Hello everyone! my name is Katy, I'm new here. ;D

I was wondering do B52s grow slower that other VFTs? I bought a clone a few months, the seller told me that it's still very young but it doesn't look like it's growing as fast as my other VFT. I'm not sure what my other VFT is called(I'm only got into carnivorous plants recently) but it's the common run-of-the-mill kinds you can get just about anywhere haha.

Anyway, I had the other a bit longer when I first bought it only had one trap but not it made a lot of progress! it went from one trap to about ten. But I can't say the same for my B52 clone.I think the problem is the sun, I live in NY and keep my VFTs in a fish tank on my windowsill. The new traps of my B52 don't have the red color while the old ones do.
The fish tank has one fluorescent light but I don't think that's enough for them(they're not fish after all, doh!).

Can someone please explain what kind of light I would need for a B52?
Do B52s really grow slower than other VFTs?
If someone knows an online store where I can buy fluorescent lights I would appreciate it.
Thank you for reading.

[Alexis]

They're no different as far as I'm aware. As you have a young plant, that probably explains the slowness to get going.

Out of interest, why do you keep your plants in a fishtank? I've found VFTs will happily grow on a sunny windowsill with nothing else needed.

[katy]

Oh I guess I don't have to worry then!

Well, I keep them in a fish tank because my first VFT came in a mini terrarium, so I thought the only way to grow them was in humidity. ^_^; But now I read some guides, so growing them normally is something I'll keep in mind. I've realized that VFTs are more hardy than what most guides told me.

[Not a Number]

Yes, sometimes it takes a period for a new VFT to get into gear. Otherwise cultivate as you would any other VFT.

This clone is usually described as a vigorous grower and with the half dozen or so examples I have I find this to be true.

According to Henning von Schmeling who isolated this cultivar/clone it usually has a growth spurt in the late summer/early fall where you'll see most of the spectacular trap growth.

[prmills]

Yeah, if they are getting used to your conditions it will take some time, shouldn't be too much time though. My experience they need lots of light, I mean lots, as much as you can give them. You don't need a terrarrium or fish bowl either. I had some of mine growing great constantly sitting in a tray of water 4 or 5 inches from 2 floresent bulbs.

But yeah, if it is young, it'll take time, just keep it the same as your others if they are doing good and it'll eventually catch up and over take the other

Enjoy!

[icemansyr]

If you have a sunny, warm spot outside that is where you should put your B52. The single fluorescent bulb probably explains the slow growth.

[sarracenialover]

I would NOT grow VFTs inside the house unless the days are usually dark (needs artificial lighting) and the house can get cool enough for the plants to get dormancy. Growing plants outside is so much easier as usually the only care for the plant is watering and repotting ( andoccasionally to check for pests). It will grow really fast in FULL sun and will give you a really nice color (unless its an all green variety).