How do people get their plant to grow big traps?

[Hamata95]

Okay thanks you so much for the info

[paulbarden]

The question in my mind is: are you limited to growing indoors, on a windowsill? Because Dionaea prefer outdoor conditions, and as you have pointed out, getting the winter dormancy right will prove problematic. Although I have not done this myself, I know some people have simply put the Flytrap still in it's pot, in the refrigerator for the winter. Any reason that wouldn't work? You really do need to give the plant a rest period or it will slowly decline and fail.

[Hamata95]

I could do that but the problem is lighting and i could put them in my terrarium that has only daylight but that's why my VFT is on my window sill is because it wasn't getting enough sunlight, and now my red dragon VFT is growing better because it's in the window sill.

[Carnivorous Ken]

Provided the plant is experiencing optimal conditions, my understanding is that a mature, starving VFT will produce larger traps to to capture and attract larger pray because of above-average nutritional needs. Likewise, a well fed VFT will manufacture reduced or average traps if it's nutritional needs are met.

I can't remember where I heard or read this. If I recall correctly, this phenomenon has occurred in my personal VFT collection as well.

Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

[Hamata95]

Well I have never heard of that before but it makes perfect sense thank you for the advice

[Aidan]

Jun 15, 2011 4:07:15 GMT Carnivorous Ken said:

Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

It may sound logical and reasonable, but then a lot of old wives' tales do...

[peterhewitt]

The amount of nutrition VFT's recieve might influence the color and vigour of the plants, but in my opinion the size of the traps is mostly genetically determined (if all other factors are good).

[Hamata95]

So between the two flytraps I have which is red dragon & typical which one naturally has larger traps?

[peterhewitt]

There are a few forms of Red Dragon in circulation, so it would be impossible for me to say. If you give the plants a lot of sunlight and the correct seasonal cues, you will soon see for yourself
I find most of the red varieties have the same size or slightly smaller traps than the typical form that i have.

[Hamata95]

Okay, well where I live it has been over cast most of the time, will it still get enough sunlight?

[Hamata95]

My red dragon VFT is starting to grow faster ever since I put it in the window sill, I'm thinking it's because it is getting more sunlight.

[peterhewitt]

Probably.
Just a word of advice, you will notice that most frequent visitors to the ICPS forum display their location in their profile summary. It just makes it easier for people to respond, when we can see what season you are in and what general conditions are like where you live.

[Hamata95]

Okay thanks for the advice.

[coldcoffee]

Jun 15, 2011 4:07:15 GMT Carnivorous Ken said:

Provided the plant is experiencing optimal conditions, my understanding is that a mature, starving VFT will produce larger traps to to capture and attract larger pray because of above-average nutritional needs. Likewise, a well fed VFT will manufacture reduced or average traps if it's nutritional needs are met.

I can't remember where I heard or read this. If I recall correctly, this phenomenon has occurred in my personal VFT collection as well.

Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

Ken,
I have heard this as well- years ago. I can't say whether is is true or false, but I can corroborate that this argument has been made. I know there was a period early on when I used to cut back on feeding my VFTs to try to encourage larger trap growth- I don't recall a difference, but then again I was like 10 years old when I did that- I am much older than 10 now so I don't recall