Hello Trap17 Members, mods and admins I've always loved venus fly traps, and for my birthday, my girlfriend bought me a "grow your own venus fly trap". The reviews on the websites says it works, so hopefully it will!

I've read several websites on it, saying that they like warm weather, some sunlight, and not to use tap water! I also read that using a fish bowl is a good idea to keep it steamy, and also using rocks/pebbles to keep it elevated from the water (but obviously still touching it). So, I went down to a local(ish ) pet shop and bought a plastic fish bowl, got some pebbles from the garden (is that ok? There was very little mud (just little smidges) on them) and I've set it up so hopefully something will grow! The instructions said to use warm (I didn't use tap!) water to mix with the compost tablet, then put it in the pot, put the seeds in, put a little bit more on top. However, I also put warm water in the bottom, to keep it "steamy, swampy" and hopefully warmer. I can see condensation on the bowl, so thats a good thing, right?

So, whats the point of the topic?

Well, I'm going to be doing weekly updates to see what grows, but also asking for peoples help! I don't have a thermometer, so I'm not sure what temp my room is at. However, I know it's a few C's above normal, as I've got the water boiler in here. I have it on my desk next to me, where sunlight shines onto it. Sadly, my window gets sunlight on it pretty much whenever the sun is out (I'm in rainy old UK btw). However, I have got quite a wide spawn figure shadowing it, so it will get sunlight, but it wont be direct sunlight all the time.

I do have some questions though:
1) How can I tell if its at the right temp? Would I really need a thermometer, or would just guessing be ok?
2) How often should I refill the water in the bottom? Whenever the pots not touching it would be my guess, but am I right?
3) Should I use warm water, to keep it swampy/steamy? should it even be steamy or swampy?
4) Is my "rig" that I set up good enough?
5) If it grows (and I hope it does), what can I feed it, and how often?
6) It says I can use "distilled" water, is "still water" bought from shops the same?
7) Would it be a good idea to spray warm water onto/into the bowl, instead of pouring loads into the bottom?
8) The instructions say "cover loosely with a bag"? Is this a good idea?
9) A friend suggested using a lamp light facing down on it to act as the sun (and shading it more) and also give it heat. Would this be a good or bad idea? Obviously I couldn't have it on 24/7, but maybe an hour or so a day?
10) Is "Vikkela" the Finnish word for "Snappy"? If not, what is it?
11) Will the questions stop?!

I know thats alot of questions, but I'm hoping that I can get it to work So I wish to know as much as I can, thank you to anyone that can help!

Also, I'll be taking one or two photos every sunday, and updating this post with progress The first several weeks will most probably not have much, but then if all goes well, it should hopefully sprout and then if the snappers grow, I'll be able to take pics of it eating things So here we go!

Week One - 20th of Feb

The set up, kinda hard to see


As you can see, it's close to the window, but the Spawn figure should hopefully shade it. Hopefully not too much.


Top down view of the pot and compost! I hope all goes well!

Week Two - 27th of Feb
Nothing new. Not suprised to be honest. But i've not taken any pictures, since there's nothing to see.

Week Three - 3th of March
Still nothing. But it takes 4 - 8 weeks to grow, so I'm still hoping

Week Four - 10th of March
Guess what?

Nothing new still. I'm starting to think it might not be growing at all.

Week Five - 17th of March
Nothing at all. I think I didn't do it right I might just buy a fully grown one, anyways, so that the plastic fishbowl wasn't a waste. I'll remember to NOT use still water this time

Week Six - 24th of March
The only thing that has grown is some kind of white moss. Well, I think it's moss. It's along the sides of the terracotter (spell?) pot. I'm not suprised, really. Damp and warm place. And I think it came from the stones I used, I probably should of properly cleaned them.

I'm going to just buy an already grown one, and use all the same stuff. However, I'm going to completely boil the stones to try and get all the crap and what-ever it is that's on them.

I'm half tempted to dig up the mud, to see if anything actually grew. However, I might just leave it another few week. Since it said 4 - 8. Any suggestions people?

Week Seven - 31st of March
Stopped paying attention tbh xD

Week Eight - 7th of April
Can't really remember...probably same as above...

Week Nine - 14th of April
Yup, still didn't look...

Week Ten - 21st of April
See posts: Number 21 and Number 23 for pictures.

Week Eleven - 28th of April
Well, the venus fly trap had a big boost, but now it seems to of stopped and slowed down...

Week Twelve - 5th of May
Previously, the venus fly trap was sucking up alot of water. However, when I cleaned off all the white moss/fungus/whatever, it stopped "sucking it up" so fast. Which makes me think that the moss and venus fly trap may be fighting for the resources (in the composty mud mixture, the water, etc). So I went and did something that I probably shouldn't of done.

I've flooded the bowl I used very warm/almost boiling water, and filled up the bowl to just under the rim (not right at the top, just the larger rim bit at the top of the terracotta pot) to try and give it plenty of water, but also make it very arm, as I also "trapped" in the heat by loosely placing a plastic sandwhich bag over the top.

That was at the start of the week, and we're now coming upto to the end of it, and there doesn't seem to of been much progress. The shoots have grown a small bit, I think, but they're curling inwards...so I'm not sure what's going on

This post has been edited by Dagoth Nereviar: May 10 2008, 11:25 AM

Skills i'd love one of them keep it up!!!

Wow! That is sooo cool. I've never seen (or even heard) of anyone that is trying to grow one of those plants, but it sounds like so much fun Hopefully what you've set up works well with it. Sounds like it should all work, but since I really have no idea about those things, I can't really be much help But I can't wait to see more pictures and read about how it's coming along!

Thanks, I do too! Cant wait to get some snaps (sorry, terrible pun I know ) of it eating stuff

Yeah, I've been wanting one for ages...but if this doesn't work, I'm just going to buy an already-born one

It's only about £5 including postage + packaging from HERE

Wow that is awesome! And a lot cheaper than I expected it to be. Thanks for the link

6) Distilled water is different then still water.
7) If you are going for a swampy/steamy thing they yes, using a misting bottle with warm/hot water would be best

Sorry I can't help with any other of your questions

Here is some info for you:

http://www.botany.org/bsa/misc/carn.html

Also you have inspired me to get my own and try keeping it (I am fond of odd plants/animals)

Cool thank you!

Crap...I used "still" shop water, coz I don't think it's gunna rain for a while (whats the ----ing chances in the UK, eh?!)..but it shouldnt have as much chemicals in it as tap water, shoudl it?

And, yeah, warm water was what I was gunna use...the warm water from over 6 hours ago is still kinda warm, which is good.

And I'm glad I could spread the joy xD you should use the link above, only about £5!

I am actually looking locally first (note I live in the USA)

However if I can not find anything I'll use your link.

When I get mine set up I will keep you posted on its growth as well.

I found this as well when looking for info: