The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant. A flower that eats flies: why did it grow like that and how does it hunt

Wikipedia writes about this plant as follows: Venus flytrap (lat. Dionaea muscipula) is a species of carnivorous plants from the monotypic genus Dionea of ​​the family Drosyankovye (Droseraceae), which also include Aldrovanda vesiculosa and representatives of the sundew genus (Drosera). Venus flytrap is a plant of marshy areas of the east coast of the United States of America (North and South Carolina). The Venus flytrap catches its victims (insects, arachnids) with the help of a specialized trapping apparatus formed from the marginal parts of the leaves. Closing of the trap is initiated by thin trigger (sensitive) hairs on the leaf surface. To slam the trapping apparatus, it is necessary to exert a mechanical impact on at least two hairs on the sheet with an interval of no more than 20 seconds. This redundancy provides protection against accidental slamming in response to falling objects that do not have nutritional value (raindrops, debris, etc.). Moreover, digestion begins after at least five stimulation of sensitive hairs.».

In the American, this species is listed as an endangered plant. The floristic predator is the only perennial insectivorous herbaceous plant of this species of the Rosyankov family. The plant is low, in adulthood it does not grow above 15 cm. The stem of the Venus flytrap is bulbous. Small white flowers are collected on tall peduncles in a corymbose peduncle.

Since the soil where the amazing plant grows has a very low nitrogen content, various insects and even slugs serve as the source of this chemical element.

Leaves, forming a rosette, grow from a short underground stem from 3 to 7 pieces (depending on age). These insect traps grow back after flowering. Their length is from 6 to 15 cm. The “mouth” is green, but with good illumination, its inner part turns red. Inside are glands that are able to produce odorous nectar to attract insects. Along the edges of the trap there are hairs and triggers, when the victim gets inside, they are irritated and the trap slams shut, and the plant begins to produce a digestive secret.

Digestion lasts several days, then the predator reopens the insidious bait leaf. After several successful hunts (5-7 times) for insects, the leaf can no longer produce enough digestive secretions. It dies off, making room for a new predator leaf. As mentioned above, the Venus flytrap prefers the open sunny and wet grasslands of North Carolina or the swamps with peaty and sandy soil of South Carolina. Despite the fact that the plant prefers to live in a swamp, it does not tolerate stagnant water.

Kinds

Currently, about 25 species are known to be cultivated at home. Some species are especially popular.

Venus flytrap (Dionaea Jaws.)

The traditional shape of the flycatcher, only the teeth are triangular in shape. Feeding and care is the same.

Dionea Mouth

Venus flytrap bristly ( Dionaea Bristletooth)

Distinguished by bright red traps. The teeth are short and sparse. This species gives a fairly large number of children.

Dionea Bristle

Venus flytrap Fondue (Dionaea)Fondue)

This species is highly mutated. There are species with traps of different colors, sometimes completely devoid of teeth.

Dionea Fondue

Venus flytrap Low giant (Dionaealow giant)

Has the biggest traps. Looks very interesting at home. Feeding looks the most obvious.

Dionea the Low Giant

Venus flytrap long red fingers(DionaeaLong Red fingers)

A very mutated species, has traps in the form of a bowl. The teeth are bright red, often fused. They grow close to each other.

Dionea Long Red Fingers

venus flytrap red dragon(Dionaeared dragon)

It has original leaves and burgundy traps. With a lack of lighting, the color of the traps turns pale.

Dionea Red Dragon

plant cost

The price of a plant varies depending on the age and rarity of the species in our country. The lowest price is 100 rubles (discounted and small plants, the best option for the first growing experience) and goes up to 700 rubles (selected, the best specimens). Seeds can be ordered in St. Petersburg for 100 rubles per package. Check expiration dates carefully.

Care

Feeding

The most difficult, and at the same time fascinating process is feeding the plant. Do not use fertilizer To avoid this procedure, Dionea is a predator, and she receives all the nutrients from insects. Spiders, flies, small cockroaches and mosquitoes are suitable for feeding. If a large insect (such as the cockchafer) falls into the trap, the trap will not be able to digest it. And then it turns black and dies, it must be carefully cut off.

Digestion of food takes the flycatcher from 10 days to two weeks. Only when the trap is fully opened does it mean that it is ready to eat. The question always arises: where to get live insects for feeding?

• In summer, you can take the plant to the terrace, the smell of nectar itself will attract food. It is only necessary to ensure that large insects do not fall into traps;
• Some grow flies from maggots that hatch outdoors in rotting meat or fish. But such a procedure is not suitable for everyone, just like growing mosquitoes from bloodworms;
• Sometimes sticky tape is laid out on the garden plot not far from the anthill, and ants are caught with tweezers in a jar;
• Do not feed the flycatcher if the plant is weakened by disease or after transplantation.

Do not feed the flycatcher with pieces of meat, and in no case do not feed gnawing caterpillars. In winter, the Venus flytrap does without live food until the very spring, when insects start flying.

Traps are fed with tweezers, dropping a fly or an ant into it. For the entire growing season, Dionea needs 3 flies or large mosquitoes.

Watering

The Venus flytrap is not watered, it is given water in the pan, and through the holes in the pot it enters the roots. Most importantly, the water must be rainwater (of course, not from a dirty city roof) or distilled. It is very important for the plant that the water is as soft as possible. In the active growth stage, water at least three times a week.

You can not use ordinary water, melted, filtered, settled, this will lead to the death of Dionea!

Check the soil for moisture every day. Drying out an earthen coma is detrimental to an exotic plant. Choose a tall and small pot for the plant, as the roots of the Venus flytrap are long. In nature, the plant lives in water meadows or peat bogs, where there is a lot of underground water. Therefore, it does not need watering from above. Water can get into the traps and damage them.

Lighting

The most favorable location for the predatory flycatcher in the apartment is the southeast and southwest windows. The plant should receive at least 6 hours of light in the morning and the same amount in the evening. If the plant is planted in a florarium, which provides high humidity, artificial lighting may be needed. A 40 watt lamp is placed at a height of about 25 cm, depending on the size of the plant, and left on for 15 hours.

In summer, Dionea can be taken out to a balcony or an open loggia, but care must be taken that direct sunlight does not fall on the flower. For proper development, light is necessary for a plant, but everything needs a measure. No need to turn the pot, as they do with other plants - the Venus flytrap does not like to be disturbed.

Temperature

In summer, the optimum temperature for the plant is from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it can be easily taken out to the warm side of the veranda or terrace. In winter, during the dormant period, the temperature is reduced, but not lower than +8 degrees.

Humidity

The Venus flytrap loves 50-70% humid air, but this is difficult to achieve without spraying. Well, if it is planted in a florarium, natural moisture is preserved there. She also does not like stagnant air, but drafts are contraindicated for her. Ventilate the room as needed, but not for long. If it grows in a pot, then you can put a bowl of water. Evaporation will humidify the dry air of the apartments directly at the flower.

The soil

The most suitable substrate should correspond to natural conditions and consist of:

• 4 parts of sour peat (it is better to buy in a store for flowers);
• 2 parts perlite soaked in water for a week;
• 1 part coarse river sand (boiled in distilled water).

In this case, drainage is not needed, since the roots are fed with water from the pan. The pallet must be high enough. It is important that the plant is planted only in plastic or glass pots. Ceramic and clay are prohibited, due to the high acidity of the substrate.

Transfer

An adult plant is transplanted only in a healthy state in the spring. Carry out this procedure once a year, after wintering. When transplanting, care must be taken, since the roots are very fragile, any damage to the roots leads to difficulties in planting in a new place.

Using the transshipment method, remove the root system and clean it of old soil. If it is difficult to separate, then soak the roots in water and then rinse with a spray bottle. After transplanting into a new pot, the plant will need about a month to adapt, so the transplanted flower must be protected from bright sunlight and watered more often.

Fertilizer

Top dressing in the soil for the Venus flytrap is not applied in any form, since it receives all the necessary nutrients from insects.

reproduction

seeds

During flowering with a cotton swab or soft brush, artificial pollination should be carried out. If pollination was successful, then small boxes with seeds are formed. After three months, the seeds are ready for sowing. Seeds quickly lose their germination capacity - so you need to sow immediately. You can also buy ready-made seeds.

• Seeds need special preparation. To do this, you need to take a fungicide solution, moisten a cotton pad or cloth with it, place it in a tight airtight package, and close it to keep high humidity. Then the seeds in the package are cleaned in the refrigerator for 5 weeks. Periodically wetting them with a fungicide solution, and making sure that mold does not appear. Seeds should not swell or germinate.
• Then the seeds are scattered on the surface of the prepared soil, consisting of 70% sphagnum and 30% sand, without embedding. The substrate must be watered with a fungicide diluted in distilled water at room temperature;
• Cover with a film or glass, so that you get a small greenhouse. It is placed under bright diffused light.
• The temperature should be within 24-29 degrees;
• All the time they check the moisture content of the soil, if necessary, moisten it on top of spraying from a spray gun;
• Shoots will appear in two to three weeks. You have to wait the same amount before planting seedlings in separate pots;
• It takes about 5 years for a Venus flytrap to become an adult plant.

cuttings

If you want to breed flycatcher cuttings, you need to cut the leaves of the plant, treat the sections with heteroauxin, plant them in the ground (the composition of the soil is the same as for the greenhouse). The planted leaf should be covered with a transparent plastic cup. The signal that the plant has taken root will be the growth around the mother leaf. The only disadvantage of this method of propagation of the flycatcher is the frequent damage to the leaf by mold fungi.

By dividing the bush

Most often, the plant is propagated during transplantation. After washing the roots, the young rosettes are carefully separated from the old bush. Thus, the old plant is renewed, and young rosettes are obtained for propagation. They are planted in separate pots and placed in trays with water.

Bloom

Dionea begins to bloom in May - June. Flowering continues for several weeks. The plant produces tall peduncles, on which corymbose inflorescences are formed. The flowers are small, up to one cm in diameter, very pretty with a pleasant aroma.

If you do not plan to carry out pollination and collect seeds in the fall, then it is better to cut the arrows during the budding period. Flowering and ripening of seeds greatly weakens the plant, especially traps. If you want to get seeds, then use a plant older than a year and wait until the bolls are fully ripe.

Winter dormancy

The dormant period begins when the temperature outside drops to + 5-8 degrees. In autumn, around November, the Venus flytrap begins to shed its leaves. As soon as you notice this, you need to reduce watering. Then prepare Dionea for wintering by treating with Fundazol (this will prevent the formation of mold). The flycatcher hibernates in light partial shade at a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius. You can put a pot with a Venus flytrap in a glazed loggia if there is no severe frost. Even in the lower section of a household refrigerator, the plant will overwinter well, because. lighting is not needed.

During this period, the flycatcher does not need food, but the substrate should be checked every two weeks. It should remain slightly damp, so we recommend placing the pot in a bag with a hole. The average duration of wintering is from 2 to 4 months. The end of the dormant period comes in the spring, when insects begin to appear on the street. You should get a pot, and put it on the window in a pan with water. To bright sunlight we accustom gradually, the light should be bright diffused. Further care in the usual mode.

Dionea in natural conditions

Diseases and pests

• Surprisingly, a plant that eats insects can suffer from them. For example, aphid, having settled in the trap and sucking out the juice, deforms it, and the trap stops functioning. To combat aphids, you need to use aerosol insecticides, which are sold in flower shops.
• In dry conditions, Dionea can start spider mite. You can get rid of it by treating it three times with a solution of acaricide with an interval of a week. In the future, the humidity must be increased. The spider mite does not tolerate excess moisture.

Due to the high humidity of constantly wet earth, the flycatcher is subject to various fungal diseases:

• If a black coating appears on the leaves of the plant, then most likely this is a sooty fungus;
• Gray rot appears as a gray fluff. All infected parts must be removed immediately;
• If the trap has captured a large insect, then it cannot digest it and begins to rot. If you notice blackness appearing at a closed trap, it will have to be removed.

After removing the infected parts, the plant must be carefully treated with any fungicide for house flowers. You will also have to process the walls of the pot, florarium and window sill.

care mistakes

• The most common mistakes occur when feeding. Often flower growers are carried away by this process and give food that the flycatcher cannot digest. Do not give food to all traps.
• Be sure to arrange a winter rest for the plant. If you store your Venus flytrap in the refrigerator, remember to keep the soil moist, otherwise it will wither and it will be very difficult to restore its healthy appearance in the spring.
• Dionea needs careful care, so this exotic plant is best dealt with by those who have a lot of free time.

• In the collection of carnivorous plants that Thomas Jefferson, the third president of America, was very fond of, the Venus flytrap occupied the most honorable place. He fed her only with his own hands;
• Charles Darwin devoted a whole book to this plant, where he wrote in detail how and how to feed it;
• Another unique feature of the Venus flytrap is that the traps not only exude a pleasant aroma, but glow slightly with a bluish light, and all this is to lure insects;
• Some types of flycatchers determine the size of the insect and if it is larger than it needs, the flaps of the trap open and the insect regains its freedom;
• To date, breeding scientists have bred subspecies of the Venus flytrap with red and raspberry wings. They are only in botanical gardens, and the cost of an exotic plant is very high.

Venus flytrap (lat. Dionaea muscipula) is a species of carnivorous plants from the monotypic genus Dionea of ​​the Rosyankovye family (Droseraceae).

The Venus flytrap flower closes its brightly colored trap leaves with sharp and long spikes along the edges with an unusual speed for a plant. An instant reaction occurs reflexively, as soon as the victim touches the sensitive hairs on the surface. A slammed dense bivalve leaf immediately turns from a trap into the stomach of a flycatcher, where the digestion of the next portion of food begins.

origin of name due to a mistake made by a botanist in writing Muscipula (Mousetrap), who wanted to write muscicipula proper (fly trap). Literally, it should sound like "Dionea muscicipula" - Dione, in Greek mythology, was the mother of Aphrodite, in the Roman version of Venus. The first American settlers allegedly compared the leaves of the plant with female sexual organs ... or compared with the shape of sea shells, which is also a symbol of the feminine, which is vividly shown in the work of Botticelli (Botticelli).

Leaves- green, elongated, consisting of two, slamming parts, teeth are located along the edges. The Dionaea trap is designed in such a way that the plant catches the insect with lightning speed and with tight fixation. A thin bristle on the inside of the leaf is activated upon contact, within 30 seconds the prey is "identified" directly from other external factors, such as a raindrop.

For landing dionei use a mixture consisting of 75% sphagnum moss and 25% mixture for rooting cuttings. The acidity index of moss is ideally 5.5; TDS (Total Dissolved Salts) should be zero.

Before placing the plant in the prepared mixture, moisten it thoroughly. The most optimal time for planting and transplanting Dionea is early spring (at this time the Venus flytrap begins its growth). The optimal size of the pot depends on the size of the dionea: on the one hand, it must be roomy enough for the plant to live comfortably in it for a whole year, but at the same time, the pot should not be too large, because the Venus flytrap is quite a miniature plant.

Location.

The natural habitat is a temperate maritime climate. The plant loves cool fresh air, but dies in a draft. The lighting is moderate, it can withstand short-lived bright sun, in summer it can be in the fresh air. the best option for placing the plant in an aquarium or terrarium that needs to be shaded from the midday sun. Or grow with fluorescent lighting. Can be left in the terrarium for the winter. Prefers a cool place, +3 +15 C Avoid dry-warm air (proximity of the heater), high air humidity.

Lighting.

Dionea likes a bright location, but not the hot sun. A window sill in a house that gets morning sun in summer and midday sun in winter is a great place to place a Venus flytrap. If there is no such suitable bright place, then dionea will need additional illumination. Venus flytrap is grown in terrariums, in greenhouses, in closed glass vessels, on glazed loggias. Some plant lovers grow dionea quite successfully in the open air.

Watering.

Soft water moderate in spring and summer, in winter during dormancy store in a dry place. Many experts recommend the use of rainwater poor in lime, but Western experts claim that rainwater contains organic and mineral elements, especially if the water has accumulated in metal vessels. Such water has an increased concentration of metal salts, which is detrimental to the plant. must be constantly moist. Dryness is poison for plant traps. In summer, you can water the plant by immersing it 2 cm or the top of the pot in water for half an hour. It is not recommended to feed the plant with fertilizers, its roots die off from this. And do not feed insects, only live ones and very rarely.

Air humidity.

The optimum level of air humidity for the Venus flytrap is 70-90%. This is most easily achieved by keeping the plant in a terrarium or suitable glass containers.

Dionea loves damp-cool contents with an abundance of fresh air. If the air temperature is high (+30 degrees and above), the flycatcher may completely stop growing. After such stress, the plant resumes growth with extreme reluctance. By the way, the air temperature in the natural habitats of Dionysus is kept at around +40 degrees throughout the summer. But there, Venus flytraps do not stop growing due to the fact that they always remain cool (cool moisture enters through the capillaries from the depths and, evaporating, maintains the coolness of the soil).

Fertilizer.

Despite the biological characteristics of this species, DO NOT specifically "feed" your Venus flytrap with flies or other insects. Otherwise, you will simply kill your "predator". Dionea herself must "enjoy the excitement of the chase" - at the same time, digestive juices will fully stand out for further absorption of the victim.

If it still seems to you that the plant is "starving" - feed it with a half solution of fish emulsion (water should be watered in the container!). The flycatcher receives its main food from the peat mixture in which it lives.

Rest period.

By winter, the Venus flytrap falls into a dormant state, completely stopping its growth. You may even sometimes think that the plant is dying. Don't worry, this impression is deceptive. This is a natural life cycle stage for the Venus flytrap. A dormant period is simply necessary for her in order to have the strength after a winter rest for the full growth of new traps, flowering and seed formation. Your task during the winter is to remove dead traps and leaves from Dionea, and new ones will definitely grow in spring!

Dionea flycatcher (Dionaea muscipula), also called "Venus flytrap" is the most famous "predator" plant on the North American continent. This is the only species in the genus.

Venus flytrap(lat. Dionaea muscipula) is a species of carnivorous plants from the monotypic genus Dionaea of ​​the Rosyankovye family (Droseraceae). The scientific specific name (muscipula) is translated from Latin as "mousetrap", probably by mistake of a botanist, at least that's what is commonly believed. The species received its Russian name in honor of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and plants. The English name of the species (English Venus flytrap) corresponds to the Russian one.

An adult copy of the flycatcher (it catches and assimilates not only flies, but also mosquitoes and other insects) usually does not exceed 15 cm. In spring, the Venus flytrap blooms with white flowers on a long peduncle.

The original habitat of the carnivorous Dionea is peat bogs in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina (USA). Venus flytraps grow in an area called "savannah" - consisting of relief lowland "islands" with an area of ​​​​1 to 5 hectares (no more than fifty of them have survived in their virgin form).

The trap of the Venus flytrap consists of two halves-shutters, vaguely resembling the opening shells of mollusks in their structure. Along the edges of the valves are two rows of teeth. Glands are located along the rim of the valve, along the inner row of teeth of the trap. They produce and secrete a pleasant-smelling nectar that attracts insects to the trap. Each of the two inner flat surfaces of the dionea trap is equipped with three trigger hairs. If insects in the process of absorbing nectar repeatedly touch these hairs, then the trap begins to close.

At first, the Venus flytrap trap is only slightly covered, and the insects have the opportunity to move back and forth within the trap. If the insect is small, in principle, it has a chance to avoid the deplorable fate of being eaten and escape by slipping through the hole between the teeth. When this happens, the triggers stop being stimulated and the trap fully opens again (about a day later). Dionea simply needs this response mechanism: it helps to prevent the loss of time for a “false triggering” of the trap due to extraneous interference (for example, raindrops, sticks brought by the wind, twigs or chitin shells of insects).

But if the bug that got into the trap of the dionea trap could not get out of it, then the stimulation of triggers continues, the trap closes more and more tightly. The process of digestion begins. From the glands located on the inner surfaces of the valves of the trap of the Venus flytrap, digestive juice is abundantly secreted - the insect completely drowns in this liquid. The trap remains closed for several days. When it finally opens, only the undigested chitinous shell of the former insect is exposed. Each Venus flytrap trap is designed for about three digestive processes, and then it dies.

There are two alternative hypotheses for the effect of this impulse. According to one of them, these cells rapidly release hydroxonium ions into the cell walls, loosening and causing their rapid swelling by osmosis. According to the second hypothesis, the cells in the inner layers of the blades and the middle part of the leaf rapidly secrete other ions, water is also released as a result of osmosis, which leads to cell collapse.

If the prey was unable to free itself, it continues to stimulate the inner surface of the leaf lobes, causing cell growth. Eventually, the edges of the sheets close, completely closing the trap and forming a "stomach" in which the digestion process takes place. Digestion is catalyzed by enzymes that are secreted by glands in the lobes. Digestion takes approximately 10 days, after which only an empty chitinous shell remains of the prey. After that, the trap opens and is ready to capture new prey. During the life of the trap, an average of three insects fall into it.

Venus Flytrap is perfect not only for decorating the windowsill, but also for an interesting introduction of your children to the fascinating and entertaining world of nature.

The first and most common misconception about the Venus Flytrap is that it requires very difficult care, since it comes from southern latitudes, that it is very demanding on high temperature and humidity. In fact, these plants come from rather cold northern latitudes, and they are perennials.

These plants are found naturally in southeastern Northern California, growing in open, sunny, and moist grasslands. In addition, the Flycatcher grows in the northeastern swamps of South Carolina, preferring swamps with peaty and sandy soils. Although Flycatchers grow in marshes, they are extremely intolerant of stagnant air, and require several hours in full sun. In the winter period of dormancy, the vital activity of plants decreases; at such a time, low temperatures and short days are preferable for them, that is, a much smaller amount of sunlight compared to the summer period.

In order to achieve significant success in the cultivation of this plant, extreme attention should be paid to the conditions in which the Flycatcher grows in nature and what its requirements are, accordingly, to the natural factors surrounding it.

The growth cycle of the Venus Flytrap consists of four periods, with different types of growth in each period. In the spring, coming out of winter dormancy, the plant produces a rosette of leaves, 2-4 inches (5-10cm) in diameter. at the same time, several stems with white flowers may appear.

In summer, several more types of leaves appear. On top of the lower leaves pressed low to the ground, new ones grow, which are held high enough on the stems above the ground. Traps grow out of them. Leaves with traps grow constantly, replacing their dead predecessors.

When the days begin to get shorter and colder, the plant begins to prepare for hibernation, during this period only the lower rosette of leaves remains.
The flycatcher belongs to semi-evergreen plants. Even in winter, a few leaves remain on the surface. The leaves are quite tolerant of frost, but in extreme cold they can die off. The underground part remains alive. Tiny bulbs that look like lily bulbs are gaining strength to thrive next spring.

Flycatcher can be grown in swamp gardens, terrariums with appropriate microclimate, even if you choose to keep it on a windowsill, it will do quite well. If the plant is growing on a windowsill, place the Flycatcher pot in a tray or container filled with 2-3 centimeters of rainwater or distilled water. Under no circumstances should the soil be allowed to dry out. The plant should be kept in a window where it will be guaranteed several hours of light, preferably in the morning, since the midday sun can scorch the plants. Probably the most interesting thing for Flycatcher owners is its feeding, after all, it is for this purpose that carnivorous plants are usually purchased, but it should be in moderation. The flycatcher should be given soft insects that can be easily digested by its traps. If you overfeed the leaf, it may die. In no case should Muholova be fed fried and raw meat, or very large insects, since they are not completely digested by the plant, which causes the process of decay inside the trap.

Providing sufficient and natural amount of light for the Flycatcher daily will help the plant to go into a state of winter dormancy in time. This will be a consequence of the reduction in the amount of sunlight closer to autumn. At this time, new leaves practically do not grow, and only a small rosette of them remains. The flycatcher should be provided with a low temperature in order for the plant to enter a state of winter dormancy. The pot with the plant can no longer be kept in a pan with water, but at the same time, make sure that the earth does not dry out, then the Flycatcher should be placed in a room with a temperature of 2 - 10 ˚С. For this purpose, an unheated basement or a room, or a section in the refrigerator, with the appropriate temperature, is perfect. When storing the flycatcher in the refrigerator for winter, the plant pot should be placed in a plastic bag to prevent the soil from drying out. Lighting during this period is not at all necessary for the Flycatcher, however, during the winter it must be checked regularly to prevent drying out, or vice versa - decay. Hibernation for this plant is extremely important, if it grows continuously throughout the year, it may die from a lack of energy.

With the onset of warm spring days, the plant can be taken out again to its original place, and soon its growth will resume. At this time, the Flycatcher blooms and noticeably increases in size. In the same period, it can be transplanted using a peat or peat-sand mixture. Regular garden soil mixes should not be used as they are not suitable for Flycatcher in terms of acidity.

Growing Flycatcher in terrariums imitating a swamp is practically no different from growing in pots. The only difference is that in a terrarium it is a little more difficult to provide sufficient lighting. For the normal growth of the Flycatcher, a terrarium with a volume of 40-75 liters will suffice. The bottom of the terrarium can be laid out with a layer of moss and peat, or a peat-sand mixture. Since the soil must constantly be moistened, a drainage layer is not necessary. Only distilled or rain water should be used for irrigation, as minerals from untreated water will accumulate in this soil. In order to provide a sufficient amount of illumination, a 40 watt fluorescent lamp can be used, which should be installed at a height of 20-30 cm above the plants. It should be borne in mind that the higher the terrarium, the more difficult it is to light it. The duration of artificial lighting should be adjusted depending on the season. During the Flycatcher's transition period to winter dormancy, the terrarium should be moved to an unheated basement or room, or removed from the terrarium, leaving some moss and peat, placed in plastic bags and transferred to the refrigerator.

If the climatic zone allows, Venerina Muholova can be grown in a garden on the street, creating the pre-requisite conditions. At the same time, she will feel and look much better than when grown in flowerpots or terrariums. The flycatcher is planted in pots with a depth of at least 20 cm and a width of at least 30 cm. For planting, a peat and peat-sand mixture is used, on top of which it is desirable to lay a layer of moss so that the peat does not wash out during rains and thunderstorms. You need to make sure that the plants do not dry out and at the same time, you need to choose a well-lit place. When the Flycatcher grows outdoors, it can feed itself and will delight you with excellent results. Being constantly in the fresh air, with natural lighting, it will bloom in time, and go to winter rest. If the winter in your area is not very cold, the Flycatcher can be left to winter outside, otherwise it is better for it to winter in a cold basement or refrigerator, as described earlier.

Here she is - a flycatcher:

The Venus flytrap is an unusual plant that grows in the swamps of the eastern United States. It looks like an ordinary flower on a long stem, but it has one interesting feature. He is a predator. The Venus flytrap is engaged in catching and digesting various insects.

What does a predator flower look like?

Outwardly, this is not a particularly noticeable plant, one might say, grass. The largest size that ordinary leaves can have is only 7 centimeters. True, there are also large leaves on the stem that appear after flowering.

The inflorescence of the Venus flytrap is somewhat similar to the flowers of the common bird cherry. This is the same white delicate flower, with a large number of petals and yellow stamens. It is placed on a long stem, which grows to such sizes for a reason. The flower is deliberately placed at a great distance from the trap leaves so that pollinating insects do not get into them.

The Venus flytrap grows in swampy areas. The soil here is not rich in nutrients. There is especially little nitrogen in it, namely, it is necessary for the normal growth of most plants, including the flycatcher. The process of evolution went in such a way that the flower began to take its nourishment not from the soil, but from insects. He has formed a cunning trapping apparatus that instantly closes a suitable victim in itself.

How does this happen?

Leaves intended for catching insects consist of two parts. On the edge of each part there are strong hairs. Another type of hairs, small and thin, densely covers the entire surface of the leaf. They are the most accurate "sensors" that register the contact of the sheet with something.

The trap works by very quickly closing the halves of the sheet and forming a closed cavity inside. This process is launched according to a strict and intricate algorithm. Observations on venus flytraps have shown that leaf slamming occurs after exposure to at least two different hairs, and with an interval of no more than two seconds. Thus, the flower is protected from false positives when falling on the leaf, for example, raindrops.

If an insect lands on a leaf, it inevitably stimulates different hairs and the leaf closes. This happens at such a speed that even fast and sharp insects do not have time to escape.

Then there is another protection: if no one moves inside and the signal hairs are not stimulated, the process of generating digestive enzymes does not start and after a while the trap opens. However, in life, an insect, trying to get out, affects the "sensors" and the "digestive juice" slowly begins to flow into the trap.

Digestion of prey by the Venus flytrap is a lengthy process and takes up to 10 days. After opening the leaf, only an empty shell of chitin remains in it. This substance, which is part of the structure of many insects, is not able to digest a flower.

What does the Venus flytrap eat?

The diet of the flower is very diverse. This includes almost all insects that can somehow get on the leaf. The only exceptions are very large and strong species. The Venus flytrap "eats" flies, beetles, spiders, grasshoppers and even slugs.

Scientists have identified a certain percentage in the flower menu. So, for example, a predatory plant consumes 5% of flying insects, 10% of beetles, 10% of grasshoppers, 30% of spiders. But most often, the Venus flytrap feasts on ants. They occupy 33% of the total amount of digested living creatures.

Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a carnivorous plant that is part of the Rosyankovye family. She is the only representative of a kind of Dioneus. The plant's scientific name was probably given to him by mistake. From Latin, it translates as "mousetrap." In Russian, the flower is called venus in honor of the Roman Venus, the goddess of love and flowers. This plant is native to South America.

The Venus flytrap is listed in the Red Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Description, photo and distinguishing feature of the Venus flytrap

The Venus flytrap is a small herbaceous plant with a rosette of 4-7 leaves 4 to 7 cm long. Venus flytrap leaves grow from a short bulbous underground stem. Its flowers are small, shaped like a star, located at the ends of the stems. It blooms in early summer, and its total life expectancy is about 7 years. The formation of long leaves-traps occurs after flowering. Traps consist of two opposite petals with spikes on the edges. The outer part of them is painted bright green, the inner reddish.

Trap closing mechanism

The main feature of this plant are the leaves-traps. In nature, they are located close enough to the ground, so insects are easily caught in them. Inside each trap there are small hairs, they act as sensors.

A one-time touch on the antennae will not give any consequences. This is necessary in order to avoid "idle" slamming due to falling raindrops or branches on the traps. But when an insect touches two different hairs, the trap instantly closes. This happens very quickly, in 0.1 seconds. There is no exact description of how the trap works, but scientists believe that it is associated with the instantaneous transfer of water between plant cells.

After the trap is closed, the venus begins to secrete digestive enzymes and dissolves its prey within two weeks. After that, the trap is ready to search for a new victim. During its life cycle, each trap is able to catch up to 7 insects.

Rules for caring for a venus flytrap at home

Place your Venus flytrap out of direct sunlight.

In the natural environment, the Venus flytrap can be found in the southeast of Northern California, as well as in the northeast Carolina. It grows in open, sunny, moist meadows or swamps. Venus prefers swamps with peat and sandy soil. It can grow at home, but for this it is necessary to create conditions for it as close as possible to its natural habitat.

Location, lighting and optimum temperature

Venus flytrap is a photophilous plant. She needs at least 4-5 hours of light per day. The best location for it would be the western and eastern windows. You can also place it in the south, but you should be careful not to get direct sunlight through the glass on the Venus flytrap. They can be detrimental to the plant. Therefore, if it is impossible to avoid placement on the southern windows, then in the daytime summer hours it is better to remove the plant deep into the room or shade directly on the window. When located on the northern windows, Venus will not have enough light, in which case artificial lighting can help.

As for the temperature, then Venus is quite hardy. In winter, it can be kept in bright rooms with a temperature of about 5-10 degrees, but if necessary, it will withstand lower temperatures. From spring to late autumn, it can be kept outdoors, for example, on a balcony or in a garden.

Humidity and watering

Important - do not let the soil dry out

During the growth period (from spring to autumn), venus needs abundant watering. Don't let the soil dry out. You can even place a pot of venus in a 1-2 cm pan of water. Water it with distilled or filtered water at room temperature. During the winter dormancy, venus in cool rooms are watered infrequently.

For a comfortable existence of the Venus flytrap, the humidity must be maintained at 70%. To do this, you can constantly spray the venus or grow it in a terrarium.

Soil and fertilizer

The Venus flytrap prefers moist, poor and acidic soil, as its natural habitat is the Carolina swamps. Such soil can be achieved by mixing sphagnum moss and perlite in equal parts. It is impossible to use universal soil for venus, it will simply die in it.

The flycatcher does not need fertilizing. There is also no special need for feeding it with insects, since the plant receives food from photosynthesis. But, if you have a desire to do this, and your plant is healthy, then you need to follow a few rules:

1. The trap will only close if the trapped insect moves. Therefore, remember that it is necessary to feed the Venus only with live insects.
2. You can not feed a Venus with specific food. Flies or mealy worms, or any small arthropods, are suitable for food. In no case do not feed the flycatcher with ordinary food, as it will not be able to digest it and will die.
3. Venus should be fed no more than 2 times a month.
4. You can feed only 1-2 traps.

You can not feed a Venus if:

• not weak or sick;
• experienced stress, for example, in the form of sunburn;
• is in a period of rest;
• was recently transplanted.

Transplantation and reproduction of the Venus flytrap

The Venus flytrap propagates by cuttings, seeds and bulbs.

Transplantation must be carried out every 2-3 years. It is best to do this in the spring, when the venus begins to grow. For more successful acclimatization the day before the transplant, you can treat the venus with Epin (2-3 drops of solution per 200 g of water). Prepare a special substrate for transplanting. If it is possible to check the acidity of the soil, then keep in mind that it should be at the level of 3.5-4.5 pH.

When transplanting, an earthen lump must be carefully removed from the pot, the bulb should be separated from the ground. Try not to touch the traps when transplanting. Deepen the Venus flytrap in the new pot so that the substrate covers all the whitish spots on the bulb. After transplantation, it will be optimal to place the pot in a tray and treat it again with Epin.

The main breeding options for Venus flytrap are: seeds, cuttings and bulbs.

Reproduction by cuttings

On an adult plant, several points of growth can be seen. This is the breeding material. Cuttings are cut at the base of the leaf and transplanted into the soil. Cover with a film to create a greenhouse effect. It is necessary to constantly maintain a warm temperature in the range of 25 degrees and high humidity. It is best to sprinkle the cut points of the plant with crushed coal in order to avoid decay.

Reproduction by seeds

Seeds are sown in early autumn. Pure peat is suitable as soil. They are laid out on the surface of the soil and sprinkled with sifted peat. It is necessary to create a small greenhouse for seeds with heating and lighting. It is better to water through the pan, the soil should be constantly wet. After about a month, with proper care, the seeds should germinate. With the onset of spring, the flycatcher must be gradually weaned from the sweat of the greenhouse, at the same time a dive is made. Produce it carefully so as not to damage the root system.

Reproduction by bulbs

Over time, venus forms daughter bulbs. They must be cut with a sharp knife and transplanted. It is necessary to ensure that the cut off bulbs have well-developed roots. The cut points of the mother plant must be treated with crushed charcoal to avoid rotting.

Diseases, pests and possible problems when growing

This is due to hard water.

Like all insectivores, Venus is rarely affected by pests. Occasionally it can be attacked by spider mites and aphids. With excessive humidity, the flower can be affected by gray rot or black sooty fungus. In this case, venus can be treated with a fungicide.

Possible growing problems:

• Leaves turn yellow but do not fall off. Most likely, there is an excess of calcium in the soil or you are watering the venus with too hard water;
• leaves turn yellow and fall off. This is a consequence of insufficient watering and overdrying of the soil.
• brown spots appeared on the tips of the leaves. This is a sign of overfertilization of the plant due to high doses or too frequent use. Also spots can be caused by sunburn;

Watch a short excerpt from the Venus flytrap broadcast.