Venus Flytrap Rot in Peat/Perlite: Live Sphagnum Won't Fix Water Issues

Grower's flytraps rot in recommended peat/perlite mix; watering floods leaves. Considered switching to live sphagnum. Expert diagnosis needed.

Clarification: Peat vs. Long-Fiber Sphagnum

Sphagnum peat moss (fine, brown) = correct. Long-fiber sphagnum (stringy, blonde) = poor for flytraps. Which did you use?

Live Sphagnum Not a Cure

Attractive top dressing, but won't fix root rot. Suspect: water quality. Hard water kills live sphagnum too. Need full details:

1. Location? Indoors/outdoors?
2. Water source? Hardness?
3. Pot type, drainage, tray depth?
4. Sun exposure?
5. Rot timing: seasonal (fall dormancy) or sudden death?

Live Sphagnum Care (if pursued)

• Sources: Sarracenia Northwest (spring), Meadowview Biological.
• Grow on wet peat, partial summer shade, pure water.

Answer the questions above—water is the #1 suspect.