Venus Flytrap Deformed Traps: Hard Water Damage Confirmed

VFT in DE (Zone 7), full sun, 50/50 peat/perlite + play sand, old tomato pot (washed), outside. Lowe's plant 1 year. Transplanted 2×, cut flower stalk. Wrinkled leaves, tiny deformed traps, no new traps.

First Diagnosis: Nutrient/Alkaline Damage

Jeff Dallas: tiny deformed traps = fertilized media, alkaline soil, or hard water. Check soil pH (should be acidic). Suspects: sand (used before?), peat from small bags (often fertilized). Flush with gallons of water. Accidental fertilization?

Follow-Up: Tap Water Confirmed as Culprit

Grower admits using tap water. Wilmington, DE water = 218 ppm TDS. VFTs far more sensitive than Sarracenia. Switch all plants to distilled/rain/RO water. Transplant to fresh media. Covered in DVD Vol. 1.

Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
https://www.cobraplant.com