this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2023
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Nature and Gardening

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All things green, outdoors, and nature-y. Whether it's animals in their natural habitat, hiking trails and mountains, or planting a little garden for yourself (and everything in between), you can talk about it here.

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[–] czech@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Growing under an Aerogarden LED. You can see remains from its latest victims left behind in some traps.

Growing a VFT is easy but finicky. They only need distilled water to survive but if you feed them tap water they'll die. They require a lot of light and can't easily be kept indoors without supplemental light. This one almost died early on- I think I actually moved the light too close! But it's a survivor and sprouts new traps every week; I count 30+ right now!

[–] APersonNamedDan@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So this one is indoor? I've wanted to grow one for a while but have been reticent to try given my limited space.

[–] czech@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yes, this one is indoors. It can work as long as you're using the right type of lights.

[–] APersonNamedDan@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Sweet, ty! I might give it a try then and see how things go.

[–] HexedPress@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

We have one inside and it’s surviving but it certainly isn’t thriving. We do give it distilled water though.

[–] ppetrelli@lemmy.one 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks! They are gorgeous plants but I’ve never been able to make them last long. Might give it another shot now!

Same, turns out it didn't like my tap water lol. Love these things though so were gonna try again with a little more knowledge this time. Thanks czech

[–] dcormier@beehaw.org 8 points 1 year ago

I still think it’s surprising that these are native to the Carolinas.

[–] YuzuDrink@beehaw.org 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

We killed one a couple years back, but our son wanted a new one, and this time we ordered some purified water for it, and between that and natural rain, it seems to be doing much better!

[–] Faresh@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

What about household water filters? Are they of any use?

[–] amarnasmoths 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have 3 Droseras because everyone in my house liked to put their fingers in the Venus. The Droseras are equally skilled at hunting and they aren't as fun, to them. I do love their sticky method tho!

I do water them with tap water, and they don't seem to mind, but the light issue is a bigger one, so I got them grow lights.

[–] czech@kbin.social 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Droseras look really cool! If the VFT continues to thrive I may try one of those next.

[–] amarnasmoths 2 points 1 year ago
[–] Stalinwolf@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

Every now and again I'm able to book these at work and they sell like crazy. Minds are always blown with I post a sign regarding their origin (the Carolinas), as most people, including myself, assume they're from tropical rainforests or something. Such a cool plant.

[–] greatwhitebuffalo41 5 points 1 year ago

I killed 3 and I haven't tried any type of carnivorous plants since.

[–] kosure@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I just got a Nepenthes. Do you feed your flytraps, fertilize, both? It looks like it's thriving

[–] LucidFeverDream@mander.xyz 5 points 1 year ago

I have a pitcher plant and I don't do anything to it but water it every other day (when it's warm). However, my house has an ant problem in the warmer months and my pitchers are constantly filled with ants. I haven't had to feed any of my carnivorous plants manually.

[–] czech@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Nice! I just water it with distilled water. It catches its own little bugs.

[–] janus2@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 year ago

what a fine spiky boi

[–] Abrogha@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Seriously you're growing this shit?? Isn't it dangerous to keep it around

[–] Plus_a_Grain_of_Salt@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not trying to put you on the spot, but what are the perceived dangers? I've never heard of any dangers with them, but it'd be good to know if there are any.

[–] DracEULA@beehaw.org 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Have you not seen the documentary Little Shop of Horrors?

I walked right into that one lol

[–] kosure@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I just got a Nepenthes. Do you feed your flytraps, fertilize, both? It looks like it's thriving

[–] czech@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

Thanks! I just give it distilled water. It"s been catching its own "fertilizer".

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