Dionaea muscipula, plant care and growing guide

Published on: March 15, 2022 Modified on: 30 April 2024

dionaea-muscipula

Dionaea muscipula, being a carnivorous plant, has the ability to procure nutrients by catching insects and digesting them. Carnivorous plant species are numerous, differing by the mechanism they capture their prey, as well as by their organs morphology.

Varieties of carnivorous species
  • Dionaea spp. – the capture mechanism consists of a modified leaf, the nectar inside it being the bait that attracts the insects.
  • Drosera spp. – the leaves are covered with tiny glands (called tentacles) that secrete a sticky mucus – the insects are attracted to its smell.
  • Nephentes. – it has a simple capture mechanism, the leaf is modified in the form of an urn, the insects are attracted by their color, and due to the digestive fluid the insects can no longer be released and end up being digested.

Dionaea muscipula

It is one of the most famous carnivorous plants, appreciated due to its fascinating appearance and the mechanism of capturing the prey.



Environmental conditions

Light
light

It is a light-loving species, and for a harmonious growth and development, it needs to be exposed to direct sunlight.

Temperature
temperature

Dionaea muscipula prefers temperatures between 20-24 °C. In winter, the optimum temperature is 10-12 °C. In winter, because of the low temperatures, it reduces its activity, entering a period of dormancy, beneficial for its development and growth.

Humidity

Carnivorous plants prefer a relatively high humidity.

Care

Watering
water

Watering should be done regularly, keeping the substrate slightly moist before watering again. It is recommended to use distilled water or “rain water”, since the minerals in the tap water can affect the health of this species.

Fertilization

These species prefer not to be fertilized, the nutrients in the products intended for fertilization can burn the roots. These species feed by decomposing various captured insects.

Propagation

Dividing the bush is the best way to propagate Dionaea muscipula. In early spring a mature plant will have branches, which can be carefully removed and replanted as new plants. These species can also be propagated by seeds or leaf cuttings, but dividing the bush is a simpler method.

Diseases and pests

The appearance of diseases is generally influenced by persistent high humidity in the substrate, when root rot can occur. In the case of pests, red spider mites and aphids can be common.

In order to detect from the beginning the presence of pests (red spider mites, aphids, etc.) and to be able to apply a treatment from the incipient phase of the attack, it is recommended to use traps.

To control pests, it is recommended to carry out treatments with specific products, depending on the targeted pest.

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