Is it possible to overfeed Venus Flytrap?
I am finding conflicting sources. Some say you can, and some say you can't. I can't find a clear answer.
I, having too much fun, keep feeding all of the traps because of the satisfaction of them clamping down on their prey. I don't want to end up accidentally killing him. I'll leave my grow light on for longer than usual for him to burn off all of his nutrition.
Can anyone from the #CarnivorousClub answer this question? #carnivorousplants #venusflytrap
#happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #planttherapy #plantcorner #plantlove #iloveplants #newgrowth #planttlc #greggang #adhdplantlovers
I, having too much fun, keep feeding all of the traps because of the satisfaction of them clamping down on their prey. I don't want to end up accidentally killing him. I'll leave my grow light on for longer than usual for him to burn off all of his nutrition.
Can anyone from the #CarnivorousClub answer this question? #carnivorousplants #venusflytrap
#happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #planttherapy #plantcorner #plantlove #iloveplants #newgrowth #planttlc #greggang #adhdplantlovers
2ft to light, direct
3” pot with drainage
Last watered 1 year ago
3
Yes, you can overfeed it. Giving it bugs too often, or bugs that are too large, can stress the plant because of all the energy required to dissolve them. This is especially true during its dormant season (winter). Also, each individual trap has a limited number of bugs it can dissolve before dying off. If you're going to feed it, make sure they're very small, and only do it at most every few weeks during its active growing season.
I think you probably can overfeed them because they wouldn't be getting huge amount of bugs in their natural habitat. Lots of extra bugs that aren't needed for energy may cause rotting issues, I have read. The traps only have a certain number of closings (4 to 6) before they die, so keep that in mind also. 😊
The big thing you want to consider is that the plant has stored energy.
So each part of the plant uses that stored energy:
Growth
Root growth
Digestion
Overall Health
With the VFT you have to consider the overall health when feeding it.
To digest a bug takes energy so each time it is digesting it is taking energy away from the process of root growth and new growth. Because it simply cannot do it all at once.
While it is fun to watch the overall future health of your plant could be potentially compromised creating a weak plant that won't last as long as a plant that can 'pace itself'
Sort of like a marathon runner, they don't start off sprinting because they would never have the energy to finish the race!
If your plant is feasting all the time it's going to run out of strength too and will eventually show the effects. I know you want your plant to live a long healthy life.
You can still feed it but never a bug bigger than 1/3 of its trap. And don't feed all of the traps at once 1 bug once a week.
Pick your favorite day of your week and think of it more as a reward for waiting. I honestly never feed mine and it does great.
But, I understand the novelty of a new bug eating plant too. So, enjoy it but try to limit yourself so it can focus on its all important root growth and new trap growth as well. That way your plant will live a long healthy life 🌿
So each part of the plant uses that stored energy:
Growth
Root growth
Digestion
Overall Health
With the VFT you have to consider the overall health when feeding it.
To digest a bug takes energy so each time it is digesting it is taking energy away from the process of root growth and new growth. Because it simply cannot do it all at once.
While it is fun to watch the overall future health of your plant could be potentially compromised creating a weak plant that won't last as long as a plant that can 'pace itself'
Sort of like a marathon runner, they don't start off sprinting because they would never have the energy to finish the race!
If your plant is feasting all the time it's going to run out of strength too and will eventually show the effects. I know you want your plant to live a long healthy life.
You can still feed it but never a bug bigger than 1/3 of its trap. And don't feed all of the traps at once 1 bug once a week.
Pick your favorite day of your week and think of it more as a reward for waiting. I honestly never feed mine and it does great.
But, I understand the novelty of a new bug eating plant too. So, enjoy it but try to limit yourself so it can focus on its all important root growth and new trap growth as well. That way your plant will live a long healthy life 🌿