A Visit Which Led to a Journey

In June of this year, a Master Gardener friend came to visit, blessing me with her presence for a few days and gifting me with a strange little plant that has a habit of eating flies. You guessed it, the common name, Venus Fly Trap, Genus Name Dionaea.

Upon receiving this little life I thought, “Oh dear, how do I take care of it?” Well, a quick Google search revealed an excellent article by Deb Wiley and Lynn Alpine https://www.bhg.com/gardening/houseplants/care/grow-venus-flytrap/  which lists all of her needs.  (I have decided she is a her.) I call her Venus.

This gift brought to mind some of the questions from an activity for the Cultivating Companions class that Grace Florjancic (our OSU JCMGA Coordinator) is currently teaching. This exercise asks several questions to help determine what kind of a plant parent you are. Reflecting on those questions, I have to say it depends on the plant.  Some of my plants given to me by loved people hold a special place in my heart and get the best care. I think Venus will require more of my attention initially, but that will change as she gets settled into her new surroundings.

The article by Wiley and Alpine gave me the information and confidence that I needed to go on this little journey with a plant that I had never considered. I am really looking forward to making her like my home and make it her home as well. Now I have several new things to consider: What will her container be? I know that she wants at least 4 inches of soil, and more is better for her roots. Where will the container sit to get the best light?  I now must allow some insects indoors for her to catch and eat.  The insects must be small enough that she can close her traps on them. She also likes a humid environment, being a native of the Carolina swamps in southern US. There Dionea is considered endangered as it has been collected to near extinction due to humans’ fascination with their habit of eating insects, so I need to help her live!

Now, how will I achieve the ideal humidity while still having an open container so her prey will come into her sphere of influence?  I was told not to tease her without giving her food, since motion is the trigger that causes her to trap by closing her several mouth-like structures once an insect is attracted. She emits a sweet smell which attracts the insects. False teasing can cause a decline in this scent and use energy that she should be using to grow and eat.

If Venus decides that she likes my offerings and hangs out with me, I will update you about her progress. I also would like to try my hand at propagation but will wait until she is bigger and stronger before asking her to reproduce.  I hope each of you have a guest that leaves you with such an intriguing project and lovely memory.  Thanks, Ronnie, for the lovely gift and for launching me on yet another thoughtful and interesting plant journey.