Expert: Christopher Littrell - 11/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have two venus flytraps which grow outside for two years in pots. They did fine until about two months ago when the edges of the leaves began to turn black. I cut off those leaves, but other (non-trap areas) leaves then began to die at the edges also. I keep cutting them back. What could be causing this? I've never noticed this before. The growth from the center seems to be slowing also.

ANSWER: Hello Craig,

There are many factors which might be the cause. In short, I do not know. I will need to know what part of the world you live in, the weather conditions, the watering, dormancy, repotting, soil type, fertilizing, and light that the plants have been receiving the last two years and what might have changed since then. Also, there may be pests involved, so check the center of the plant for tiny insects.

Send me a followup with that information and maybe we can come up with an idea of what is occurring.

Christopher

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I live in York, Pa. I follow all the directions- soil 1/2 perlite, 1/2 peat. outside full sun, grew good most of the summer, no fertilizing. sprayed safe fungicide, insecticide. sitting in water tray. Getting ready for winter, but it was this way when it was still warm, i.e. September.

Answer
Hello Craig,

Cold weather is not the only factor in dormancy with temperate plants. It is the shortening of days that cues them in as to when they should produce short prostrate winter leaves. Actually, mine are doing the same right now, though I have mine indoors under a regimen of atificial light cues to induce dormancy. The long, tall petioles and leaves blacken and wither as growth slows for the rest of the plant. So long as there is some growth going on in the central growth point of the plant, and it remains green, there should be no problem. Just let nature take its course as with last year when they went through winter. Mine are in 75-80 degree room temperatures and are dropping (letting them blacken) their leaves rapidly with new, but slower growth from the center. They are healthy and almost ready for cold weather. It sounds like this is the case with your Venus Flytraps also.

Christopher