Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Venus Fly Traps By Ashley Brown Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office July, 2002

Introduction I will be talking about the Venus Fly Trap or also called Dioaea Huscipula. I’ll tell you: Where you can find it. What it is and how it works. When it grows. How to feed and water it. What kind of soil would be good for it. Some different types of Venus Fly Traps. What temperature they like the best. How much they cost.

Where You Can Find It It’s Found in wet damp places. They live mostly in South America and parts of North America. Royal Red

What Is A Venus Fly Trap And How Does It Work. It’s the most well known Carnivorous plant. They lure their prey by using a sweet smelling nectar. If the prey touches one of the venuses’ trigger hairs which is on the trap, it will snap catching the prey and will start to dissolve it turning it into a liquid. This will go down the stem and be used for energy and protein in the digestive process and will take five to twelve days. After a few days of digestion the trap will re-open and be ready to start all over again. Red Dragon

When Does It Grow? Grows manly from March to October. Red Pirahan Grows manly from March to October. They are dormant in the winter but still continue to grow from the chemicals and metalabolic changes in the bulb of the plant. Cup Trap

Feeding Do not feed it normal plant food. Make insects available. Don’t tease it with your hand, fingers or other objects because it will wear out and die.

Watering Place in a pot of soil with 1in of clear cool fresh water from the start of growth. From the beginning of the resting period only water to keep moist. Resting period is from November 1, to April 1.

Soil Use 60/40 mix of peat and silica sand in a minimum of a 4 inch pot. Regal Red

Light and Temp Red Dragon If it is placed on the south, south-east,.south west or west facing a windowsill it will do fine as far as light. It can tolerate below freezing to about 85F, shading will help also. It does best with fairly strong sunlight and cool temperatures like those found outside in most northern locations.

Some types of Venus Fly Traps                                                            Some types of Venus Fly Traps Southwest Giant All green variety Red Green Pom-Pom Fused Tooth

Some More Types of Venus Fly Traps Typical VFT is a plant that when it is mature grows leaves from 3cm to 8cm long and a trap that is 2cm to 3cm. A Flat VFT is a plant that does not grow upright leaves in summer and is usually lighter in color. Red trap is a plant that is a more vibrant red. Miniature is a plant that only grows a leaf size of 2mm.

Prices Dentate Prices range anywhere from $5 to $20. From what I found the plants on the left cost $7.50 for one. Green Dragon Dentate

Conclusion Well I hope you have learned something about Venus Fly Traps and maybe you might just have one someday, or a friend, then you can let them know some information about them and how to take good care of these plants.