Venus Fly Trap?

Question

I have a venus fly trap in a terrarium, and seemed to be doing good, and was getting new growth. I have a 12" fleurescent light over the top of the terrarium, and I also have a humidifier going once every 45 minutes for 15 minutes which keeps the humidity at a constant 90%-100% and the temperature is usually a constant 75-80 degrees. Lately my fly trap has started to turn black at parts and basicallly dying off, even the new growth will eventually start turning black at the tips and dying off. Am I doing anything wrong? Is this enough light, not enough light, too much humidity? Please help.

Answer 1

Yeah, that's definitely too much humidity.  That is just a breeding ground for fungus and root rot, which may be why your Venus Fly Trap is turning black.

The best course of action would be to uproot the plant and inspect the rhizome (the bulb) and the roots to see if anything is rotting.  If there is anything that is dead or rotting (it would be brown or black), cut it off.  Then repot the plant.  If you need help with how to repot a Venus Fly trap, read here:

http://www.flytrapcare.com/media-soil-fo...

It also probably isn't getting enough light.  Venus Fly traps do best when grown outside in full sunlight.  If you were to move yours outside right now in direct sun it would burn.  So, move it into a shaded place for about 4 days, then start giving it a little sun every day until you can get it at least 4 hours of direct sunlight every day.

Also, be sure to only water it with distilled water, rain water or reverse osmosis water.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask them in my forum:

http://www.flytrapcare.com/phpBB3/

Also, feel free to read through the articles on the main site for in depth instructions on how to care properly for venus fly traps.

Answer 2

I had one that lived for a very long time.  I just covered the container and had some water in the terrarium so it would be humid enough.  You might be making it too moist.  The humidity in a closed terrarium should be enough.

Answer 3

Venus Fly Traps like purified water, bog-like soil, and sunlight. When you say florescent light, I hope you mean a grow light, like natural sunlight. VFTs with poor light turn black more quickly. Only feed it non-venemous/poisonous insects. No bees, or spiders, or fire-spitting roaches or ants or whatever. Harmless insects like black ants, flies, etc. are good. (Craneflies are too big for it to eat.) No hamburger meat either, some people do that, and it's not best for the plant. You can get good insects at pet stores, just ask a clerk. Don't let a leg or wing protrude from the leaf when it closes on an insect- this may cause the bug to rot, which can harm your VFT. Plus, some VFTs prefer certain insects over others. Remember that each leaf can only open and close a few times before the leaf dies, whether the leaf is fed insects each time or not.

Answer 4

Venus flytraps are persnickety little plants.  I have never had one survive.  Of course, it sounds like you are a bit more professional than I am.  Mine suffered from the same symptoms.  It started to turn black and then withered and died.  I am wondering if it could be from a fungal infection.