Question
QUESTION: I have a pot of VFT's and was wondering if I have to put them in the refrigerator here in Florida (Tampa area, Central Florida)?  I guess we are sub Tropical and we have a long warm season.  I don't want to lose them and was wondering if I should put them in a frig and if I should, how would be the best way?  Or should I just leave them outside all season and then put them in the shade during the hot summer months?  

What I guess I am asking how is it best to grow in my area?  
I use to live in Va and would have just full pots of VFTs growing, but have had bad luck here in Florida.

Thank you for all your help,
Ricky

ANSWER: Hi Ricky,

Growing flytraps in a warm temperate climate can be a bit tricky.  I have friends in Hawaii that are not able to grow flytraps because it's too warm in the winter.  The plants often die after a year, even when watered exclusively with rain water!

The refrigerator method would work, but you'll need to wait until the flytrap slows down significantly before you place it in the fridge.  This might be in early January.  The plant won't need to stay there very long, about 6 weeks.  The way to do this is to unpot your plant, rinse off the soil, clip of its leaves and wrap the bulbs in sphagnum moss.  Spray the bulbs with a sulfur-based fungicide to reduce the risk of fungal infection.  Keep the moss moist, but not dripping wet.  Wrap everything up in a plastic bag and place it in your fridge.  Check on the plants periodically to make sure they don't succumb to fungus or mold.  After a minimum of 4-6 weeks, take them out and repot them in fresh soil.

Flytraps will also grow well in very warm humid conditions.  Remember, they're native to North Carolina, and it is not at all uncommon for that region to reach 100癋 during the summer months.  Just make sure the plants are getting lots of mineral-free water.  That alone will help keep the soil cool.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the information!  So it is possible to just live my Vft's out during our winters?  I really don't want to do the refrigerator method.   I think it can get pretty cool here starting in Dec.

Thank you again,


Answer
Hi Ricky,

My aunt used to live in Zephyr Hills, not far from you.  She said they did get frost ocassionally.  That is perfect for Venus flytraps.  By all means leave them out.  The fridge method that Jacob described works well for Zone 10+ areas such as South Florida and Hawaii.  A certain amount of risk is involved, however, even with fungicide, just because the flytrap will be in dark, poorly ventilated conditions.  If you're seeing nighttime temperatures in the 40's and 50's, that plus the short days will give them dormancy.  Also, it's much colder in the winter in their native habitat than you ever get, so there's really no danger from cold.  Were your plants outside in Virginia during the winter?


Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com