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Question
hi,
I wondering how do i pollinate a venus fly trap properly and grow the seeds.
Thank you,
Cristian Nuno
Hello Cristian,
First off, you can just let the plant pollinate itself. This will occur naturally as the flower blows in the wind or is shaken. You can simulate that by tapping or shaking and blowing on the flowers occasionally. You can also use a cotton swab or paint brush to pick up pollen like a bee would and then tap and rub the pollen on the pistil in the middle of the flower. If you do this you can cross-pollinate the flowers of different plants to strengthen the genetic lines or create sub-species.
After the flowers close, they will blacken and dry out over the course of a month or so. When the blackening progresses to the stalk you will begin to see the flowers cracking open slightly as the seeds ripen and get ready to fall out. You can clip the flowers off and crush them over a piece of white paper and coillect the tiny, black, pear shaped seeds. There may be several dozen, or merely a handful. Sprinkle the seeds on the surface of sphagnum peat and perlite in a 50/50 mixture and water well until the soil is moist. Always keep the soil moist and mist the seeds with a spray bottle at least once a day. In about 2 weeks you will see tiny venus flytraps sprouting.
Christopher
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Answers by Expert:
Christopher Littrell
Expertise
I am capable of answering questions about the most common carnivorous plants found in cultivation. I have no personal experience with Byblis, Drosophyllum, Aldrovanda, and Heliamphora. I have not cultivated gemmae forming pygmy sundews nor tuberous sundews. For information regarding those aforementioned species, I would suggest contacting other experts. I can answer questions regarding most species of Nepenthes, tropical and temperate Drosera, Mexican Pinguicula, Sarracenias, and Dionaea. I have some limited experience with growing Utricularia, Cephalotus, and Darlingtonia.
Experience
I have grown carnivorous plants off and on for about 27 years. I have made the same mistakes and suffered the same mishaps that many growers make as they attempt to separate the myths from the realities of growing these plants. Currently, I am successfully growing a variety of tropical sundews, a Nepenthes, several Venus Flytraps of varying ages, and Sarracenias. I have been successful in stratifying Sarracenia seeds and providing artificial dormancy requirements for my temperate plants when needed.
Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in Educational Psychology. Over my lifetime, I have constantly read books involving the growing conditions of carnivorous plants. I hope to incorporate the educational aspects involved in psychology with teaching other people how to cultivate carnivorous plants.
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