How the flytrap works. Description of the Venus flytrap and where the carnivorous plant lives. How to choose the best place to grow

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 view gives quite a large number of kids.

Venus flytrap Fondue (Dionaea)Fondue)

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

Venus flytrap Low giant (Dionaealow giant)

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

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.

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 rises 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 start on 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 rain (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 stage active growth watered 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 predatory flycatcher in the apartment these are 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 optimum temperature for a plant from 20 to 30 degrees of heat. 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. 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. Average duration wintering 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.

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.

Because of high humidity constantly wet earth 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 provide 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 one unique feature Venus flytrap - traps not only exude a pleasant aroma, but slightly glow 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.

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. Russian name The view was given in honor of Venus, the Roman goddess of love and plants. English name species (eng. Venus flytrap) corresponds to Russian.

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 internal flat surfaces Dionea traps are 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). This response mechanism is simply necessary for Dionea: it is he who helps prevent the loss of time for " false alarm» traps due to extraneous interference (for example, raindrops, wind-blown sticks, twigs or chitinous 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 inner surface leaf blades, 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 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 kept 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 decide 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. At winter storage flytraps in the refrigerator, 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. For irrigation, use only distilled or rain water, since 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 it allows climate zone, Venus 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.

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. scientific name the plant 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 optimal 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. Approximately one month later, proper care 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. Cut points at mother plant must be treated with crushed coal 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 moisture, the flower can hit gray rot or black soot 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.

The Venus flytrap or Dionaea muscipula is carnivorous plant, growing in peat bogs among pine forests in the eastern United States, near the Atlantic Ocean, where a humid temperate climate reigns. It became carnivorous in the process of evolution due to a lack in the soil of the main nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the plant.

The soil on which the Venus flytrap grows has a lack of nitrogen, and its balance is shifted to the acid side. Without a sufficient supply of nitrogen to the plant body, it is difficult for the plant to synthesize proteins and thus continue to grow. Therefore, to replenish nitrogen reserves, the Venus flytrap hunts for insects and digests them. This means that every fly or ant caught and digested by this plant acts as a nitrogen fertilizer, stimulating the growth and development of Dionaea muscipula.

The Venus flytrap hunts for insects with the help of leaves (there are from 4 to 7 of them in a plant), which have a unique structure. The leaf of a plant has two main areas:

• The wide part is called the base of the leaf. There are all conditions for photosynthesis and nutrition with the help of the root system.
• The part that acts as a trap is called the leaf blade.

The blade is located along the edge of the sheet, which consists of two halves connected by a longitudinal vein. Each flycatcher trap has two to five "trigger hairs" on each lobe (usually three). Along the edge of the blade are denticles shaped like fingers. In Latin they are called cilia. When the trap closes, these fingers intertwine. The base of the leaf and the blade (trap) are connected by a piece called a petiole (a botanical term for the stem of a leaf).

Closing mechanism

The top of each side of a Venus flytrap trap is colored with anthocyanins, pigments that give the surface of the trap its red coloration. This coloring is the main bait for insects in this plant. The cells of the trap also secrete a sticky substance, which is a type of protein. After the insect crawls into the trap, it begins to flounder on the slippery and sticky surface, greedily licking off this substance, touching the trigger hairs that signal the trap to close.

The trap closing mechanism of the Venus flytrap can be divided into four main phases:

1. Initial slam.
2. The compression phase.
3. sealing phase.
4. reopening phase.

"Trigger hairs" are indicators for the plant, which determines by their fluctuations that potential prey is trapped. If two hairs are touched at once or one is touched twice in a row within 30 seconds, the trap closes in a tenth of a second.

The flapping motion of the Venus flytrap is one of the fastest movements that plants are capable of. The amount of time Dionaea muscipula takes to slam shut is highly dependent on ambient temperature, lighting, plant health, and other factors. However, the trap of a healthy plant in warm conditions closes very quickly.

The details of the slamming process are actually quite complex. Scientists are currently investigating this process and are putting forward various hypotheses, which include an instantaneous increase in cell size and an "unstable latch state" that are under the control of this plant.

Recent studies conducted in 2005 by Harvard scientists show that the Venus Flytrap's trap closing mechanism is based on biochemical and elastic processes. They cause the leaf tissues to stretch to the point of instability, and when the hairs are touched, the plant instantly pumps water into the leaf, causing it to collapse.

Compression phase

If the initial closing of the trap is successful, the contraction phase begins, which lasts about half an hour. The process looks like this. In the process of fighting, the insect inside the trap continues to touch the “trigger hairs”. This signals to the flycatcher that it is necessary to clamp the doors further in order to keep the victim inside. If the insect is small enough, it is able to slip through the teeth of the trap and escape.

The contraction phase does not occur if the slam is unsuccessful in finding prey. This happens if, when the flaps collapse, the insect managed to get out of the trap or there was a fluctuation of the hairs caused by other sheets, raindrops, or a person who put a finger in there. Then the trap begins to slowly open and opens completely in a day or two. But if this touching of the hairs occurs several times, it can lead to blackening and death of the trap. In subsequent times, the collapse rate of the same trap drops significantly.

Sealing and opening phases

If the trap has successfully captured the prey and the insect has not escaped before the contraction phase begins, the sealing phase begins. During this phase, the teeth of the trap move forward and outward, so that they no longer intertwine with each other. As a result, the edges of the flycatcher lobes (blades) on both sides are tightly pressed against each other. When the seal becomes dense and impenetrable, digestive enzymes begin to be released. The insect sinks in them and is gradually digested.

Over the next 5-12 days, the trap remains closed for the duration of digestion. At this time, digestive enzymes continue to be released, dissolving the soft tissues of the insect. Nutrients contained in the tissues of the insect are released in the form in which they can be absorbed by a flycatcher leaf.

The amount of time required to completely digest the prey depends on the age of the insect, the trap and the temperature. environment. The larger the insect, the longer it takes to digest. The older the trap, the slower the release of digestive enzymes, the warmer the weather, the faster digestion.

For a perfect "lunch", the insect should be one-third the size of the trap. If the insect is too large, or if any part of it hangs from the trap, the seal may not be tight. Because of this, the trap may die. It turns black, dies and falls away from the plant. The base of the leaf will continue to supply energy to the plant through photosynthesis, but new blades with teeth capable of hunting will no longer grow on it.

After the end of dinner, the leaf absorbs substances along with the digestive fluid that the plant received as a result of the digestion of prey. This signals the plant to open the trap again. All that remains after dinner by this time is the external skeleton of the insect. It can be washed away by rain, blown away by the wind, but it can also serve as bait for the next victim. Very often, spiders or ants are lured by a corpse, which ends with the next dinner for the Venus flytrap.

After several successful hunts in a row, the trap ceases to function. The plant itself lives much longer: with favorable conditions it can function for twenty years.

Growing a plant at home

Although the Venus flytrap is found in nature only in the eastern United States, it can also be grown at home. The plant is very picky, so it requires careful care. Experts recommend growing Dionaea muscipula in an aquarium that will provide the plant with the necessary level of humidity. Venus flytrap should not be placed in the shade or in the sun, otherwise it will quickly die. Perfect option- grow on the window, which is located on the east side of the house.

You can't touch the Venus flytrap. If you touch the trap a couple of times, after a while the trap will turn yellow and fall off.

Dionaea muscipula should not be watered with tap water: better rain or distilled, fertilizers should not be added to the water. This must be done carefully, making sure that the earth is moist and not wet, otherwise the root system of the plant will begin to rot. Spray the Venus flytrap several times a day.

The flycatcher needs to be fed once every fourteen days. It is undesirable to put dead insects: only live ones. It's even better if Dionea hunts on her own. For this purpose, live insects must be lowered into the aquarium. Then Dionaea muscipula can handle itself. At the same time, she will be able to independently decide when she needs to have lunch.

In winter, the Venus flytrap will hibernate for 2-5 months - and decreases in size. The leaves are getting Brown color and fall away. This allows the plant to continue its life as long as possible.

lat. name - Dionaea muscipula

Venus flytrap - unusual and amazing home flower. It belongs to the so-called insectivorous (or carnivorous) plants and belongs to the sundew family (Droseraceae). The homeland of the Venus flytrap is the swamps of the humid subtropics.

It is worth noting that the plants are endemic to the states of Florida, North and South Carolina (USA). This means that they are found in the wild only in this region and are protected due to the increased interest in the venus flytrap as a houseplant.

Flycatchers are highly difficult to grow, like all carnivorous plants. They are demanding on growing conditions, feed specifically and require cold wintering. top scores appear in florariums (closed glass vessels), on well-lit verandas, glazed loggias and balconies.

Appearance

The Venus flytrap is a small, up to 20 cm, herbaceous plant with a bulbous short underground stem and 4-7 trap leaves, with which they catch insects.

Flowering takes place in spring and summer with small white flowers on long peduncles. If it is not planned to obtain seeds, it is advisable to cut the flowers, because. a lot goes into their development vitality and exhaust the plant.

The genus Dionaea includes only one species, the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), but several cultivars have been bred for ornamental purposes. The appearance and color of the leaves-traps depends on this. For example, the varieties Big Mouth and Low Giant have very large traps, and Red Dragon is a variety in which all parts of the plant are dark purple in color.

Venus flytrap care during the growing season

This exotic plant natural bright diffused light is needed for 6-8 hours. For this, southern windows with shading from direct sunlight are best suited. Some specimens, subject to constantly moist soil, feel great without any shading.

With a lack of light, as well as in florariums and terrariums, the plant is illuminated fluorescent lamps(at least 40 W at 20 cm or sodium or metal halide gas discharge high pressure) for 14-16 hours during the growing season (from spring to autumn).

The optimum temperature during the growing season (spring-autumn) is 22-28°C. Humidity is required within 70%. At high air temperatures and very dry air, to maintain humidity, the Venus flytrap can be kept indoors. glass vessel, be sure to ventilate the container from time to time.

To increase the humidity, the plant pot can be placed in a tray with moss, which must be kept moist. And also carry out regular spraying with soft water.

Watering should be carried out exclusively with soft water (rain or distilled, purchased at a pharmacy or car shop, pH 5.5-6.2), while it should not be allowed to stagnate in a pot for a long time or the soil to dry out. Watering is best done in a wide pan, constantly topping up with fresh water so that it has time to soak in during the day.

Features of nutrition and feeding of the plant

The Venus flytrap does not need to be fed with various fertilizers, getting all the necessary nutrients from the digested insects. If there are no insects in the room or in the container where the plant is kept, it is necessary to feed one live fly, mosquito, spider and other small insects once every one to three weeks.

Usually the digestion of prey lasts 5-10 days. It is not recommended to feed the plant with beetles, caterpillars, larvae, bloodworms, earthworms, meat, etc. They are poorly digested by traps, and can cause them to rot. Feeding itself should be stopped at the end of September, gradually lowering the air temperature and transferring the flycatcher to “wintering”.

How to care for a plant during dormancy

In winter, the Venus flytrap needs rest for 3-4 months (end of autumn-winter) with an air temperature of 5-10 ° C and a complete absence of "live food". During this period, the ground part of the plant may either die completely, giving a new shoot in the spring, or remain unchanged.

During the "wintering" plant should be stored in a cool place, such as a refrigerator, packed in a bag with small holes and watered about once a month cold water. The pot with the plant is pre-treated with a fungicide. If the plant hibernates on cool verandas, loggias or balconies, no special preparations are required.

Be sure to monitor the soil moisture - it should not dry out completely, but there should also be no stagnation of water in the pot.

Transplant and soil

Transplantation is carried out once every 1-2 years at the end of spring in a deep pot with drainage. The approximate composition of the soil for planting: high-moor peat (2 parts), perlite (1 part), quartz sand (1 part). The acidity of the soil should be in the range of pH 3.5-5.5. It is best not to use expanded clay. because it alkalizes the soil, as well as garden soil, which does not have sufficient acidity.

Reproduction of the Venus flytrap

Venus flytrap can be propagated by seeds, cuttings of leaves or dividing the bush. Plants bloom at the age of 2 years or more. In the wild, they need insects not only for food, but also for reproduction.

In order to prevent pollinating insects from accidentally getting into the trap leaves, the inflorescences of the Venus flytrap appear on very long peduncles. The flowers are white with a slight sweet smell.

When seed propagation at home, it is necessary to carry out artificial pollination of flowers with a soft brush or cotton swab, transferring pollen from the stamens to the pistil. Flowering lasts for several weeks.

The seeds of the Venus flytrap are very small - about 1 mm. After ripening, they must be immediately sown in the ground (the same as for planting adult plants), as happens in nature. Seeds are scattered on the surface of the soil, without sprinkling with earth, and sprayed with soft water from a spray bottle.

You don't have to worry about the distance between them, because not all seeds will germinate. The soil during germination should always be moist. A pot of crops is placed under a bright diffused sunlight or under artificial lighting. The temperature is maintained at 24-29°C. Seed germination time is about 2 weeks.

You can read more about all the nuances of sowing in our article "How to sow very small seeds".

After 2-3 weeks after germination, flycatcher seedlings are seated in separate 8-9 cm pots. They maintain high humidity and air temperature.

Another way of reproduction is the division of the bush. Under natural conditions, the rhizomes of the Venus flytrap at the age of 1-2 years begin to grow, giving rise to new plants. In indoor floriculture, they simply seat each a new outlet in individual pots.

Features of cultivation, pests and diseases

The plant is most often affected by aphids, spider mites and gray mold.

The usual habitat for the Venus flytrap is swamps, where there is a constant nitrogen deficiency. The plant makes up for the lack of nutrients by digesting and assimilating insects that fall into their traps.

These devices for catching flies, mosquitoes and other insects are designed for a certain number of openings and closings (about 7 times), after which they die. Therefore, it is not recommended to irritate sensitive hairs inside the traps, because. this leads to slamming them for nothing and depleting the plant.

The blackening of the traps indicates excessive watering or an insect that is too large for the plant to digest. Blackened parts of the plant must be cut off.

Try not to rotate the Venus flytrap pot around its axis relative to the light source.