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Carnivorous Plants/Telling the difference

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Expert: - 10/22/2010


Question
Hi, I purchased two VFTs but I don't know how to tell which
one is a low giant and which one is the Big Vigourous. They
both look the same. Could you help me distinguish between the
two?

Answer
Hello Bridgette,

That is the trouble with Venus Flytraps. They are all from the same species, just slight variations. I do not actually worry about such distinctions due to that fact. I have one Flytrap that has shown genetic proclivities for sawtooth, piranha, typical, and many in betweens. The bottom line is that a Venus Flytrap is just that, a Venus Flytrap. That does not mean that there are no slight genetic variations typical to one form or another, but it is just not easy to tell those differences between some forms. I look at kind of like brand names. Just because a handbag has a particular brand name does not necessarily mean that it is different from another in any meaningful way, other than price that is.

Perhaps one of the other experts that really specializes in Venus Flytraps will have more specific information about what to look for in each variation.

Christopher

Carnivorous Plants

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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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