1. Home
  2. Question and Answer
  3. Houseplants
  4. Garden Articles
  5. Most Popular Plants
  6. Plant Nutrition

From seed.


Question
I'm going to grow some flytraps from seed. But I want to know if I'm doing anything wrong. I'm using pure peat moss (I can't find any perlite, that has no fertilizers in it.) I'm going to put the peat moss in a saucer of water. When the moss is damp, I will put the seeds (Low Giant species)on the soil and set it in full sun.

Answer
Pure sphagnum peat moss is fine, but you will have to be careful once the seeds germinate that the medium (the peat moss) doesn't stay to soggy all the time, or it may promote the growth of algae or provide anaerobic conditions that could promote root rot.

To keep the surface where the seeds are sown moist, but allow the rest of the medium to dry out somewhat between waterings, you could use a covering over the germination container or tray. But if you do so, be sure there are at least a few ventilation holes for heat escape and fresh air exchange, and keep the covered container out of direct light or it will quickly overheat to the point of literally cooking the seeds.

In fact, it would be better to keep the seeds out of full sun during the primary flush of germination, up to 25-30 days, because the conditions the seeds and growing medium experience can vary tremendously and very quickly while you are not watching and cannot intervene, harming and sometimes killing the seeds if the medium surface dries out to much, or if a tiny emerging root gets burned or dries, or if the soil surface overheats too much.

Very bright indirect light and warmth that is at the higher level of what humans feel comfortable with is appropriate for germinating Venus Flytraps

There is only one species of Venus Flytrap, Dionaea muscipula. The Low Giant is not a species but instead is a clone of one particular genetically unique plant. However, the seeds of Low Giant will not produce genetically identical plants, so the Venus Flytraps that sprout from the seeds should not be called Low Giant.

For more information about growing Venus Flytraps from seed and some photos, you may find the following article interesting or helpful:

http://www.flytrapcare.com/growing-venus-flytraps-from-seeds.html

Best wishes,
Steve

Copyright © www.100flowers.win Botanic Garden All Rights Reserved