The other day I decided to buy a Venus Fly Trap plant so I can grow it as part of my new hobby. I became quite fascinated with it because I don’t know if they can bloom more flowers. So, I decided to do some research to find out whether or not it can bloom more flowers.
So, can a Venus Fly Trap Flower? The Venus Fly Trap also is known as the Dionaea Muscipula is a carnivorous plant that primarily feeds off small insects and is capable of blooming flowers after reaching a certain level of maturity or a process known as the rhizome.
It is a common thing to pick this flower for its ability to sustain itself by consuming small insects, but there is actually a lot more to know more about this particular plant that has become quite popular in many homes around the world.
The Fly Trap’s Mystery
As already mentioned, the Venus Fly Trap is a carnivorous plant that feeds off small insects in order to gain the nutrients it needs to live. However, the plant by its very nature is also capable of absorbing nutrients from gases in the air and the soil in which they are rooted in.
Although these nutrients are essential for the plant’s growth, they are in fact insufficient since the Venus Fly Trap tends to grow in soil that is deficient in nutrients.
It is for this particular reason that the plant developed the ability to feed on small insects, to gain sustenance.
Interestingly enough and despite the fact of being a carnivore plant, the Venus Fly Trap is in fact considered to be a member of the kingdom plantae; meaning that in the biology world, the Venus Fly Trap is considered a plant.
This plant is native to both North and South Carolina, and it happens to be endangered due to the deep fascination and interest in collecting this plant.
This interest stems from the desire to watch the Venus Fly Trap feed on small insects. As a result of this intent to make this plant a domestic one, it is now grown in greenhouses.
Unfortunately, the destruction of most of its native habitats are another reason as to why the Venus Fly Trap is also grown in greenhouses, but it is equally unfortunate that such efforts to preserve this plant may actually cause it more harm than good in the nearby future.
Due to their habitat created by cultivation, the Venus Fly Trap is of a very small size and it is usually grown in two color versions, green or red.
The green Fly trap is known as the “Justina Davis”, and the red Fly Trap is known as the “Red Dragon”. There are larger versions of this plant known as the “Slack’s and Southwest Giants”.
The Trap’s Feeding Method
The Venus Fly Trap has a very unique feeding method in which it releases a nectar that sends out a very sweet out into the air to attract their prey, small insects.
Once its prey has taken the sweet bait, the Fly Trap waits patiently for it to fall into the plant’s trap. As soon as its prey touches a hair trigger twice or two hairs successively, the Fly Trap reacts by sending an electric charge to close its trap shut by interlocking its teeth and forming a cage.
The more the prey struggles inside the Fly Trap’s cage, the tighter the seal becomes and trigger another response in which the Fly Trap releases its digestive enzymes to dissolve the soft tissue.
After a week of dissolving its prey into nutrient soup, the Venus Fly Trap reopens and uses the empty carcass to attract a new prey into its seal.
The Trap’s Wintertime
The Venus Fly Trap actually hibernates. That’s right! This plant requires a period of dormancy during the winter times. In a domesticated environment, it is absolutely necessary to provide this plant with a cold environment in which it can do just that, hibernate.
It is imperative to give this plant its proper resting cycle, so that it can take its rightful course and begin its flowering process.
A Venus Fly Trap flowering in the winter begins when the leaves start to turn black and the plant goes back to rhizome, also known as the rootstalk.
When this process happens, don’t freak out because it is part of this plant’s normal life cycle. Instead, it is best to trim off the dead leaves so it can grow healthy ones before they begin their growth process in the beginning of March.
The Fly Trap Has A Flower
Believe it or not, this plant grows a flower in the Spring, but it takes quite the amount of effort and dedication to do it like a pro.
If that’s not who you are, but you still want to see the flower bloom, then you should cut off the Venus Fly Trap stalk once it has a height of approximately 5 centimeters tall.
Otherwise, you’re going to be looking at a lot of flowers blooming during the summertime, which means you’re going to have a lot more mouths to feed.
The Fly Trap’s Food Choices
If you’re growing this particular plant, then you know that you have options when it comes to what you’re going to feed it based on the environment it’s going to be growing.
First, if you choose to grow your Venus Fly Trap outside, then you know that your plant is going to be fine because it is going to be able to catch plenty of small insects to feast on for itself.
Remember that this plant is capable of attracting its prey by releasing a nectar to lure prey into its trap.
If you choose to grow the plant inside then you can choose to feed them with insects that can be either alive, or dead, it’s your choice.
However, you must make sure your Venus Fly Trap has everything it needs to grow properly before you feed it.
This is done so that the plant is able to digest food properly and without the waste its energy trying to digest non-edibles. From time to time, they will get in there.
It Is More Than Just A Flower
It is very clear that raising this plant to grow properly is hardly a simple task. Even at the beginner’s, the Venus Fly Trap requires a lot of care and attention that can be a tedious and time-consuming task if you are not up for the challenge.
First, it starts with the proper amount of dirt and the right height for the pot so it can digest its food properly. Second, it’s the placement. Outside or inside?
Depending on which one you choose, it’s how the plant shall feed. If it’s inside, then you must choose between live insects or dead ones to feed to your plant.
Also, you got to keep up with its seasonal hibernation and the trimming care. This hardly sounds like a plant at all, it sounds more like a pet, but it will be worth it if you give it the attention it needs to grow to reach its full potential.
Final Thoughts on Venus Fly Trap Flowering
There is definitely schools of thought as to letting them flower or whether you should cut off the flowering bud first to save the plant the use of the energy.
If you want to see the flowers just note it wouldn’t hurt to feed it a little more to make up for the lost energy from sprouting the flower bud!
