Expert: Christopher Littrell - 2/12/2011

Question
What is your opinion on the dunecraft Hydroponic fly traps? I have it already and there starting to sprout.Also I have this garden safe Fungicide 3 would that be ok for using on my CPS? thanks

Answer
Hello Clara,

Considering that Venus Flytraps are quite easy to grow open pot without expensive terrariums, gadgets, and bells and whistles, I think that just buying the seeds and potting them in soil and placing them open pot under some shop lights would be cheaper and easier and have better results. I just collect the seeds from my adult Flytraps and drop them around the adult plants. They sprout within a couple of weeks and grow to adulthood in a couple years.

I am unfamilair with Gerden Safe Fungicide 3, however; after looking at the online label, it states that the active ingredient is Neem oil, which is fine, but then it goes on to state that there are over 90 percnt of undetermined "Other Ingredients" that are not listed. I do not know what those other ingredients are, so if in doubt, don't use it. Some such products have soap based carrier fluids to keep them on the plant, however, those soaps break down into nutrients in the soil and can kill carnivorous plants due to that fact. Only use a product that states all of the ingredients explicitly so that you know what you are getting.

You will rarely need to use Fungicide if your plants are in open air and getting plenty of sun. I have not needed to use Fungicide for years on any of my plants, seeds, or cuttings for any reason.

Christopher