Question
Hi Christopher,

Thank you so much for all the great information you have given me and others on this website. I live in the mountains (6,000 feet above sea level) in Prescott, Arizona in a semi dry climate. Because my Venus Flytraps are coming out of dormancy is there any special steps I should take due to the dry climate and high altitude? The reason I ask is because several have died on me and I do not want to lose anymore. I have them in a mix of 50% Peat Moss/Perlite and only use distilled water and the ones still alive were growing very sluggish even before dormancy. Thank you so much for all your help!
Giovanni  

Answer
Hello Giovanni,

I do not think the altitude would cause much of a problem for the Flytraps, however; if your humidity is lower than 15 percent, you might need to take steps to ensure the plants have enough hydration in the hot months.

Were the plants exposed to cold air at night during the regular growing season? Cold air will cause sluggishness in plants that are not desert evolved, even desert plants are rather slow growing, like cactus for instance. Keep the temperatures over 60 degrees in the growing season.

I would place them in an area where they would get as much sun as possible while providing some shelter from drying heat. I would also provide a very large water tray under the plants with tall sides to hold some moisture in. Never let them dry out and keep them protected from temperatures over 100 degrees.

In any case, everyone has plants die back no matter how experienced they are at caring for them... it is just the cycle of life.

Keep up the good work,

Christopher