Year-Old Flytrap Seeds: Low Viability, Check Your Medium

Lewis (different from previous) sowed year-old flytrap seeds in silica sand and "compost" on a windowsill with a heat mat. Asks about viability, light needs, and heat mat use.

Viability and Medium Concerns

Unrefrigerated seeds last months; refrigerated, years (declining germination). "Compost" likely means nutrient-rich decomposed matter—will burn roots. Test with garden-center soil strips. If it's sphagnum peat, you're fine.

Light and Heat

Light doesn't matter until germination. Seedlings need 4–6 hours direct sun (shelter from hot afternoon). Heat mat unnecessary in summer. Viable seeds germinate in 4–6 weeks; flowering maturity in 2–3 years.

Good Growing!
Jacob Farin
Sarracenia Northwest