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Post by amnesia on Dec 24, 2011 23:50:14 GMT
Hi there! I`m from Rosario, Argentina and I`ve recently (yesterday) bought a very tiny dionaea muscipula, with 11 tramps. Some of them are closed.
My town is always very wet and the weather is usualy hot, now in summer.
I wish to know, if i have to keep it inside my house, or in the balcony where the sun is always there, full light all day.
If somebody have more tips to give, I will be greatefull.
I really want to keep alive this little plant. Ask me anything if you need more information.
(if this thread is misplaced, please tell me)
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Post by amnesia on Dec 24, 2011 23:53:51 GMT
Do I have to feed it with bugs in some occations?
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Post by bluemax on Dec 25, 2011 8:55:36 GMT
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Post by Michael on Dec 26, 2011 6:06:06 GMT
Hi Amnesia - Welcome to the ICPS Forum, AND growing carnivorous plants!
Definitely read the information on the link Mark provided - and read through the forum archives and you should be fine!
Happy Growing, Mike
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Post by nepenthes77 on Dec 26, 2011 14:48:41 GMT
Dioneaea can live an average lifespan without any consumption of bugs, but if it is fed once in a while, it will live a longer and healthier life.
Dioneaea wilts very easily if it is forced upon extreme temepratures mixed with high sunlight. Although it is like this in it's natural habitat, in the wild Dioneaea is constantly supplied with it's alternate source of food, insects. Since you currently have extreme temperatures like 29 degrees celsius, you would probably want to give it partial shade, plenty of water, and insects every now and then.
Carnivorous plants are carnivorous for a reason, their soil is nutrient poor and in case of dioneaea highly acidic, it needs to get traps to retrieve those nutrients, and if it does not gain those nutrients, it will not live it's maximum lifespan.
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Post by nepenthes99 on Dec 27, 2011 18:45:43 GMT
In Situ Dionaea experience temps 115+ degrees F and harsh sunlight . This does not mean they should be exposed to this year round, and should have a cold 40- degree dormancy 5 months of the year. From my experience shade will easily kill them. Their leaves have adapted to catch insects rather than preform photosynthesis. They have very weak leaves when it comes to photosynthesis. Therefore they require bright light to survive. If they are kept outdoors you will be surprised at how many insects they catch.
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Post by nepenthes77 on Dec 27, 2011 22:39:54 GMT
I failed to emphasize that my dionaea wilted because it lacked its nutrients from insects. Personally, I found the shade to perk the plant up with in 45 minutes. My overall message was dionaea NEEDS INSECTS.
QUOTE:
"Although it is like this in it's natural habitat, in the wild Dioneaea is constantly supplied with it's alternate source of food, insects."
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Post by ICPS-bob on Dec 28, 2011 0:26:30 GMT
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Post by nepenthes99 on Dec 31, 2011 1:20:12 GMT
True, yet Dionaea are not dependant on insects. They do not get energy from insects. They catch insects as a way to supply themselves with important nutrients like phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen because the soil that they grow in lacks them. All plants depend on the sun for energy. Since their leaves are poorly adapted for photosynthesis shade will not be a good place to cultivate them. No matter how many insects they are fed they will not do well with minimal light because there will be little energy available. The concept is that all plants need both a source of energy and nutrients. Dionaea have adapted to aquire those vital nutrients by becoming carnivorous.
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Post by nepenthes99 on Dec 31, 2011 17:00:14 GMT
You could fertilize the plant if you do not wish to feed it insects indoors, but be careful about which fertilizers you use. I would recommend a very diluted solution of distilled water and orchid fertilizer.
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