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Question
Last night i was reading Peter D'amatos The savage garden and read a part on the Venus Fly Trap. It stated in their that when the trigger hairs are set a slight electric current is emmited by the plant causing the trap to close. well the ? is a few weeks back i fed one of the larger traps a fly and as it closed i heard a snap noise like a nuckle cracking. Was that a static or electric current snaping through that i heard? or was it something else.
Hi Ryan,
The electric current flytraps have in their closure mechanism is similar to what your neurons in your nervous system use to transmit nerve impulses. It is very low; probably less than a volt. To create static discharge you need around a thousand volts. The sound was probably something different.
I have heard a slight noise when traps close, but usually it was from the cilia teeth brushing across each other rapidly. In a good healthy plant they can also close with quite a bit of pressure. The cracking may have been the fly exoskeleton; yuck.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
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If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!
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