Expert: Christopher Littrell - 5/28/2009

Question
I have a large container that has several hundred baby flytraps that have just sprouted. If I put them outside now, will they be acclimated to the outdoors enough this fall to let them stay outside for the winter here in the piedmont of NC

Answer
Hello Andrew,

There are several things to consider about your Flytrap seedlings. Since they are tiny and young, insects and birds will be attracted to them as a form of food. Make sure you protect them well. If they are covered with a humidity dome you will need to slowly remove the dome over the course of several weeks to equalize the humisity gradually. Plants react to quick humidity changes poorly and can wilt or even die due to drastic humidity drops. If your container is not a terrarium (worst choice) or other glass sided device, then you could place the seedlings outside, however; make sure that the seedlings are adapted to full sun first. Gradually adapt them to greater intensities of light in bright windows and outside under slight shade until the plants are growing in full sun. Move them to more intense light gradually each week or two from indoors window or florescent light to more and more direct sun. If you notice leaf burn, back off on the light intensity a little for a week or two and then move them back into brighter light until they are in full sun.

Other than that, yes, you can get them adjusted to your area and they will be able to grow all year there so long as you protect their roots from frost. Being in a container, they are not as well insulated from freezing in winter as a plant in the ground even though Venus Flytraps do grow naturally in your state. A little insulation from mulch and large containers of hay or blankets around and over them would suffice in the colder NC winters. If planted in a bog directly, they would need no such protection and would thrive in your area naturally.

Christopher