New Venus flytrap; repot now or let it acclimate first?
Hey everyone! I got a Venus flytrap from Home Depot about 1 week ago (it came in the little plastic box) and could use some advice!
So far l've:
- Been using distilled water only and keeping it in a shallow tray (about ¼-½ inch) for bottom watering
- Started giving it morning sun (a few direct hours) and then moving it to a bright window the rest of the day while I ease it into stronger light
- Left it in the original nursery pot for now
I did research and order carnivorous plant soil (peat-based mix with perlite + sphagnum moss debris), so l'm planning to repot soon. My question is mainly about timing: I feel like the plant is a little stressed/sad (some black traps, a bit floppy), so l don't want to overwhelm it. But, I also don't want to leave it in the store soil too long if that's not the best idea.
For those of you who've bought flytraps from places like Home Depot:
How long did you wait before repotting?
Did you let it acclimate first or switch it over right away?
Honestly any tips for making the transition smoother would be super helpful lol. Thank you!! #VenusFlyTrap #NewPlantMom #CarnivorousClub #CarnivorousPlants
So far l've:
- Been using distilled water only and keeping it in a shallow tray (about ¼-½ inch) for bottom watering
- Started giving it morning sun (a few direct hours) and then moving it to a bright window the rest of the day while I ease it into stronger light
- Left it in the original nursery pot for now
I did research and order carnivorous plant soil (peat-based mix with perlite + sphagnum moss debris), so l'm planning to repot soon. My question is mainly about timing: I feel like the plant is a little stressed/sad (some black traps, a bit floppy), so l don't want to overwhelm it. But, I also don't want to leave it in the store soil too long if that's not the best idea.
For those of you who've bought flytraps from places like Home Depot:
How long did you wait before repotting?
Did you let it acclimate first or switch it over right away?
Honestly any tips for making the transition smoother would be super helpful lol. Thank you!! #VenusFlyTrap #NewPlantMom #CarnivorousClub #CarnivorousPlants
3
Congratulations to you and your Venus flytrap! It’s adorable. Let’s address your questions: First and foremost, avoid repotting your plant. Plants experience stress even when moved from one room to another. (It’s quite peculiar, isn’t it?) Second, always use rainwater or distilled water, as you’ve likely read, as it can be harmful to your plants. Third, I discovered this tip only after I started caring for plants. Avoid transplanting and then trimming your plant. If you notice any dead or damaged parts, trim them to the base and let the plant heal before transplanting, to reduce shock. Currently, I recommend trimming the plant and allowing it to acclimate in bright indirect light. Generally, I give my plants about a month to at least a couple of weeks at a minimum, unless I’m planting in the ground. Carnivorous plant soil is an excellent choice. Be cautious with the amount of sphagnum moss; while it’s highly absorbent, it can be too much for your plant. You can also add a small amount of Australian tree fern and volcanic substrate to your existing soil mix, which will benefit your plant. If you need any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve personally removed all my carnivorous plants due to space constraints, but I have some seeds that are currently taking off. We’ll see how they turn out, but your Venus flytrap is indeed adorable. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with.
Hi Rebecca, my daughter also bought a Venus fly trap from Home Depot. She bought it maybe around early to mid-March. It’s still in same pot. It didn’t look great when she bought it and I didn’t have much hope it would survive. However, it has really bounced back nicely. She actually sent me a picture of it last night and it looks great. . . . Has new growth and looks healthy. I hope this helps 🙂
I would repot pretty soon - the substrate they put them in isn't great for vfts. You have done your research right, so you know what to repot into! They are super resilient, they'll bounce back even if you lose all the traps. As long as the rhizome underneath is healthy.