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Carnivorous Plants/Brownish tips on VFT's & Brand of Water Trays
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Question
I have uploaded an image of 1 of my VFT's for you to please look at. Can you try to explain what the brownish tips on the VFT's are and why they might be like that? Should the BROWN TIPS just be cut off OR should the WHOLE stems that have brown tips be cut off? I will say that I see some that are fine and the tips are green but the others are brownish. Also, can you tell me what brand name of the water trays you use that are rectangular? I have been looking everywhere for them. Thank you again for your time! -Marc Anthony-
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Thank you for uploading the photo. That helps me a bit. When I see brown tips and small traps like this, I immediately think of one of three things:
1) Using hard water (water high in minerals).
2) Using fertilizers.
3) Using the wrong soil ingredients.
These are the common factors that contribute to brown tips. Simply cutting them off won't change the situation. You essentially need to repot the plant into a fresh soil mix using the recommended soil ingredients (peat moss and perlite).
The plant also look a bit pale, which also indicates low light levels. However, since you didn't supply me with information about how you're growing the plant, I can't offer any guidance on what you can do differently.
So based solely on the information that you provided, my only recommendation is for you to repot your plant in fresh soil. It won't matter if you cut the stems off or not. That won't change the situation. You basically need to wait for new growth before you see normal traps again.
If you feel that your water and soil is correct, please write back with details about your growing conditions. Use the outline posted on the submissions page. All of the requested information is important to properly diagnosis your situation and provide relevant recommendations.
As for the trays, we get them from a nursery wholesale supplier. There is no specific brand. Many garden centers sometimes carry them.
Good growing!
Jacob Farin
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Answers by Expert:
Sarracenia Northwest
Expertise
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!
Experience
With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again.
Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.
No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.
Just the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate
thousands of carnivorous plants each year.
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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR QUESTION: We no longer answer how-to questions (i.e. How do I propagate...?; How do I grow...?). Instead, we help growers by diagnosing a specific plant problem and offering solutions (i.e. Why is my sundew not producing dew?; Is now a good time to divide my Sarracenia?; Why are the traps turning black?; What's a good substitute for perlite?; Why didn't my seeds germinate?; Can you identify this carnivorous plant for me?) For general plant care, please read our care sheets on our main website: http://www.cobraplant.com/caresheets For business questions: http://www.cobraplant.com/contact |
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