Question
I have had my my Dionaea Muscipula for about a month now and it is flourishing. It is growing many many new traps of large size and god color with long teeth. As I was examining the new opening traps the other day I noticed that instead of having 3 trigger hairs on the inside of each side of the trap, some of my traps have 4 and some even 5 trigger hairs on each side of the traps. I was wondering if perhaps this was just due to the genetic makeup of the plant itself or if this is normal with growing traps. The plant is receiving plenty of light and water and the traps are standing straight up if this makes any difference. Is this normal of fly traps or am I the proud owner of a rare Dionaea species?

Also I noticed one of my other Dionaea has divided I believe  but the lone leaf which is growing has no trap at the end of it. Just the lead with a rather small leaf of rather large width with a pin size tip at the end of it. I have transplanted the new part and we'll see what happens. Should I expect to see some traps eventually or will all the new leaves be trapless?


Thanks, Sincerely,
Yann R.

Answer
Hi Yann,

The difference in trigger hairs is actually quite normal and considered a common genetic mutation.  Unfortunately, it doesn't indicate a new species or variety.  

Trapless flytraps sometimes occur when the humidity changes too rapidly or if there are minerals in the water and/or soil.  Since your other flytraps are normal, then I'd assume that the changes in humidity (weather) that occurs frequently in spring is why your young plant doesn't have any traps yet.  In time, as the weather stabilizes, your plant will produce normal traps.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin