Question
Hi,
I've decided to start again with my Venus fly trap seeds. If possible, could you tell me what soil, or moss I would need, about humidity conditions and temperature, and if I should purchase a terrarium. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Lewis,

You can read the full instructions on germinating flytrap seeds at:
http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets

The main issue with growing flytraps from seed is that it can be a very slow process.  It's not at all like growing sunflower seeds where you can get a very large plant in a matter of three months.  Flytraps will remain small, about 1 cm, during their first two years of growth.  After that, they undergo a growth spurt and become large enough to produce a flower stalk.

For this reason, I strongly suggest getting an adult flytrap so that you can become familiar with its care, especially if you are new to growing carnivorous plants.  Seedlings require a bit different care than adult plants (just as infants require different care than an adult person).  

I'm also not a fan of terrariums.  For most beginners, it can create more problems than solutions - fungus, poor lighting, getting too warm, humidity remaining too high, lack of air circulation.

At our nursery, we germinate all seeds without terrariums.  We even don't monitor humidity because soil moisture will take care of it.  As long as the seeds are fresh, the soil is constantly moist and the temperature is warm (about 25癈), seeds will germinate within 4-6 weeks.

Just to let you know, if you still choose to grow flytraps from seed, flytraps set seeds in mid summer through early fall.  If you purchase seeds now, it's likely that the seeds were harvested last year, which means they might not be as viable as fresh seeds.  If at all possible ask the nursery when their seeds were harvested and if they stored their seeds in the refrigerator.  It's OK to use seeds from last year's harvest only if they were kept under refrigeration.  If not, hold off on getting any seeds until late summer or early fall.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin