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Care Sheet for Venus Flytrap Dionaea muscipula 'Flaming Lips'
The Flaming Lips is a unique and eye-catching cultivar of the Venus flytrap, known for its striking pink to red coloration on its traps, which often develop vibrant hues in response to sunlight. Like all Venus flytraps, the Flaming Lips is a carnivorous plant that thrives by catching and digesting insects. Here's how to care for your Flaming Lips Venus flytrap to ensure it stays healthy and vibrant.
 
Light Requirements
Sunlight: Venus flytraps, including the Flaming Lips cultivar, require full sunlight to develop their vibrant colors. Aim for 6+ hours of direct sunlight per day. The more sunlight it gets, the more intense the red or pink coloration on the traps will become.
Indoor Lighting: If growing indoors, use a grow light with a spectrum designed for plants, ideally in the 6000K-6500K range. Keep the light on for 12-16 hours per day to simulate natural sunlight.
Temperature: The optimal temperature range for Venus flytraps is between 70°F and 95°F (21°C to 35°C) during the day and between 40°F and 50°F (4°C to 10°C) at night. These temperatures are especially important during their dormancy period in winter.
 
Watering
Water Type: Always use distilled water, rainwater, or purified water. Tap water contains minerals that can damage the plant and cause long-term harm.
Watering Method: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. A good method is to place the pot in a tray of water, allowing the plant to absorb water through the drainage holes in the pot.
Humidity: While Venus flytraps prefer a humid environment, they are quite adaptable. If you’re growing the Flaming Lips indoors, ensure humidity is at least moderate. In dry climates, you can use a humidity tray or a small humidifier.
 
Soil
Soil Mix: Venus flytraps need nutrient-poor, acidic soil to thrive. A good mix is 50% sphagnum peat moss and 50% perlite or silica sand. Avoid regular potting soil, as it contains fertilizers that are harmful to carnivorous plants.
Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes to ensure proper water drainage. A 4 to 6-inch diameter pot is ideal for a small to medium-sized plant.
 
Feeding
Insect Diet: Venus flytraps, including the Flaming Lips, are carnivorous and rely on insects for nutrition. They can catch flies, ants, beetles, and other small insects. If growing indoors, feed your plant small insects that fit comfortably in the traps.
Feeding Frequency: Venus flytraps only need to eat every few weeks, and it's generally best to limit feedings to once or twice per month. Overfeeding can stress the plant.
Triggering Traps: Avoid triggering the traps by hand unnecessarily. When feeding, ensure the insect touches the sensitive hairs inside the trap to activate the mechanism. The traps will close, and the plant will digest the insect over a period of 5-12 days.
 
Dormancy
Winter Dormancy: Venus flytraps need a dormancy period during the colder months to rest. During this time, their growth slows down, and the plant will typically produce fewer traps. To encourage dormancy, reduce the watering slightly and allow the plant to experience cooler temperatures (between 40°F and 50°F or 4°C to 10°C).
Dormancy Duration: Dormancy usually lasts for 2-3 months, from late fall to early spring. After this period, resume normal care to encourage new growth.
 
Repotting
Frequency: Venus flytraps generally need to be repotted every 1-2 years, especially if they become root-bound or the soil has degraded. Repotting helps refresh the soil and gives the plant more room to grow.
Signs to Repot: If the traps become smaller, the plant seems crowded in the pot, or the soil has compacted significantly, it's time to repot.
 
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Blackened or Browning Traps: It’s natural for older traps to die and turn black. Trim off dead or damaged traps to prevent mold and to encourage fresh growth. Don’t worry if this happens occasionally—it's a normal part of the plant's life cycle.
Trap Not Closing: If the traps don't close when triggered, it could be due to overfeeding, poor light, or the plant still adjusting to its environment. Over-triggering or mechanical damage can also prevent proper closure.
Pests: Aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites can occasionally affect Venus flytraps. Inspect your plant regularly for pests and treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil if necessary.
 
General Tips
Don’t Overfeed: Venus flytraps only need a few insects a month. Overfeeding can harm the plant by stressing it or causing the traps to deteriorate.
Avoid Triggering Traps for Fun: It can be tempting to manually trigger the traps for fun, but this can stress the plant and reduce its lifespan.
Maintain Dormancy: Ensure your Venus flytrap gets the necessary rest period in winter, which is critical for long-term health.
 
By following these guidelines, your Flaming Lips Venus flytrap will thrive and produce beautiful, vibrant red to pink traps, making it an eye-catching and healthy addition to your plant collection. Enjoy watching it catch its prey and continue to care for it throughout the year!