How tall are venus fly traps

When bugs land in the jaws of the flytrap, it doesn't clamp down right away. Sensory hairs, called trichomes, on the inside of the petals essentially count the movements from the insect. There must be at least two movements in 20 seconds or the petals won't close. This prevents it from trapping debris or other items that wouldn't make a good meal.

On the second movement, the plant closes its jaws in under a second by snapping from a convex shape to concave shape. The bristles on the edges of the leaves work like jail bars to prevent the insect from making an escape. On the third movement, it starts to digest the insect. Digestive juices are introduced to the mouth area and they break down the insect. After five to 12 days, the plant will reopen and the parts of the bug that couldn't be digested fall out.

The Venus flytrap's primary prey is ants, but it will also eat flies, beetles, slugs, spiders and even tiny frogs. Flytraps don't just eat bugs for nutrition, though. Like other plants, they also need water, gases and sunlight. Insects simply supplement their diet, according to the Botanical Society of America. Venus flytraps reproduce like many other plants. For a robust plant, repot it every year.

Change the soil, and if necessary, put your plant in a larger pot. Changing the soil restores soil acidity, improves root aeration and strengthens the health of your plants.

Repot during late winter and early spring, especially if you want really robust plants in time for summer. In general, however, you can repot your plants at any time of the year. If you choose to repot at a time other than early spring, make sure you keep the roots intact.

When changing pots, use a tall one that will easily accommodate its long root system. Flytraps tend to grow faster and larger when their roots have room to grow. Large pots will also give your plants added protection during the winter.

Because of sun requirements and winter dormancy, we do not recommend growing flytraps indoors, including terrariums. They grow best outdoors as container plants or in bog gardens. Venus Fly Trap Care Dionaea muscipula The most popular carnivorous plant, Venus flytraps grow to inches in diameter with traps typically measuring up to 1. Native to a mile radius around Wilmington, NC.

Sunlight During the growing season, grow your flytrap outside in full sun. Heat Tolerance The flytrap tolerates the summer heat well. Water Keep the pot in standing water at all times. Early Spring Care When the temperature slowly creeps up and daylight hours become longer, your plants will gradually emerge from dormancy. Feeding Although some growers like to feed their flytrap, it is not necessary. Soil The flytrap requires nutrient-free soil that provides good drainage and aeration.

Repotting For a robust plant, repot it every year. The Venus flytrap cultivar Akai Ryu has bright-red stems and traps. Propagation is best by dividing plants in the spring. Venus flytraps can grow from seed but take years to develop.

The plant's nectar lures an insect into the trap. When the insect touches one of the triggering hairs, the trap quickly closes, locking the insect inside. Enzymes the trap produces digest the insect in one week.

Once digested, the trap reopens. If falsely closed, the trap will not secrete the enzymes and reopens within eight hours. After it has consumed three insects, the leaf dies and falls off the plant. An avid gardener and nature enthusiast, Cheryl Losch has been writing since Her work has regularly appeared in "Strathroy First Magazine" and the "Strathroy Age-Dispatch," as well as a variety of garden related websites.